Calling bread making experts - oat loaf a bit 'weird'. Help!

[feetheart]

I have had 2 goes at an oat loaf recipe in the bread machine using 350g strong flour and 150g oats. It tastes great but looks weird - not really risen enough and just not 'finished' on top! I tried a longer programme the second time but not much improvement. I will try a bit more yeast and water today but any other suggestions would be gratefully received.
Thanks in anticipation :)

Are the oats rough, rolled, steel-cut?.. IME they absorb a lot of water which may affect the texture. Pale colour can often be corrected with a teaspoon or two of sugar in the mix. Salt helps the rise.

Rolled oats I think - the same ones we use for porridge. Am going to try putting the oats in before the flour this time so it is further away from the water (and put a bit more water in) Will see how it goes and take a picture this time if it's still weird :)
Had to do an ordinary white loaf for this morning as that was what was requested so oat loaf experimentation will have to wait.