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I'm a newbie and have joined to say thanks for the tips of which two were really useful....
The starting point of the perimeter....
The fact that only ONE normal solution had to be split.
I managed to solve most of the clues then used Google for others.This in my opinion is cheating but having spent 8 hours or more on it I refused to accept defeat and finally finished at 2 am. Brilliant! Zzzz

First post for me ,to say thanks for all the help you have given me with this marathon plus many other puzzles over the years. Finally completed at 22.30 hours on 31st . Brilliant ,nearly up to the master Araucaria’s standard.

I would like to add my congratulations on a truly outstanding puzzle by Maskerade. I didn't believe it was within my capabilities for a long time
and I could see why many people were initially frustrated! To embellish the finished result with the theme on the perimeter truly echoed the efforts of the Master, Araucaria. So, well done, Maskerade!

I share the common view that this was an exceptionally good puzzle, so many thanks to Maskerade. You might like to know that a letter published in the Guardian on Tuesday said this as well.
What hasn't been said is many congratulations to all those who persevered and completed it! Whether you used Wikipedia, anagram solvers, help from this forum or other aids, getting to the end is a substantial achievement - well done to all!
(And as somebody said, let's hope for something similar at Christmas!)

Last word? The instruction under the grid should have read TOP right-hand square - not bottom. This is the correct order of the theme.

Re! That were ell caught

Outside edge

I don’t think the preamble is inaccurate per se and I suspect it’s intended to be a little deceptive ;-) There’s no suggestion that the four parts should be in order around the perimeter and it’s the two three letter words that really help anchor the sequence.

Do I win a prize for being the last to finish this? An excellent puzzle and while I may have been slow I just entered one word in the wrong place. Thanks for all the hints on the forum.

Last word on this - having given up on the grid when I had a word starting with ee, I wish I'd had the courage of my convictions! Turns out from looking at the solution that I was on the right track after all. And could kick myself re the donkey, sigh. Note to self - keep going.... and have only just now figured out what everyone meant about the two three-letter words. Anyway, off to try Paul.

This could not have been more of a contrast to last week. Very straightforward, I thought. FOI 1ac. LOI 23. COD 10 - but I do like an anagram! And 22 is in the Scilly Isles - my trip there being the only time I have been on a helicopter. Lovely place