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In #19 I ought to have said “reflection” rather than “symmetry”. Apologies if that was misleading

I've somehow managed to cold solve all clues and fill the grid completely, without really knowing what is going on. I have the 10 letter word for some big numbers filling most of column 1 in its normal order, and the 8 letter Scottish word for directly opposite filling the right side of row 1, but with the order reversed. My two unclued, (which seem completely unrelated) complete most of the other perimeter cells. Is this right? All I've done is fill in solutions either in the correct order or reversed. I've only spotted 2 misprints - a B for a D, and a B for a P. From the earlier posts, it looks like I'm missing something, but it just seems strange that my grid works.

I meant to add that another reason why I am perplexed is that 18 of my entries comply with the 6 letter message from the extra letters in the group 4 clues, and have, therefore, not undergone any sort of "transformation", which can't be right.

If you look at how the 3 adjusted letters move you'll see what your entry system should be for the groups they're found in (if it moves in only one direction then entries are only affected in that direction - if both, then answers in that group are affected in both directions). That's why you're seeing so many normal entries in the grid (because each group has across and down clues in it). However, your overall orientation is wrong.

I think the one you're missing is in the final clue - twist it.

Oof! This is bringing me back down to earth after the last few weeks. Help appreciated with identifying the spare letter in 'Modest enterprise by family packing....' I'm reasonably confident I have the answer but struggling with the family bit/spare letter. Thanks.

Modest e...' is 3 letters (abbrev) the 'n' is extra (from the usual 3 letters for 'family'- which is returning) the altered letter gives the 'returning' signifier.

Ah....thanks drxx. It seems I had the relevant bits bbut was fixating on the Arbroath product (too many letters) or the more familiar word. You and Chambers got me there!
Having similar trouble with 'Strict nanny oddly....' which seems to point directly to Shakespeare and a satellite but can't make the end fit with dismissed. Am I on a tangent here too?

I an struggling also bit i used pia for dutiful to get the answer here

Ending with (p)IA (pious) for' dutiful' is a bit loose, granama1 - the rest is just alt letters.

...sorry, you obviously know the rest (too much information!).