This week The Travelling Bookbinder, Rachel Hazell, installed a bespoke collection of box framed works for The Spoons’ walls. Each unique piece has been created using found papers, old maps and manuscript paper;  inspired by the Isle of Skye. Having stayed at The Spoons last year Rachel wanted to evoke the very particular experience  in papery detail. To see this special exhibition you’ll have to come and stay! Or visit her website

http://www.hazelldesignsbooks.co.uk

Her work is available to commission; we love it!

Create your own Epicurean A-Z : a hand bound dictionary made in five star luxury.

Rachel Hazell The Travelling Book Binder will be running a Book Art workshop in Luxury at The Spoons from the 12th to the 16th October this year.

Limited to a small number of delectable binders (no previous experience required); four nights, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner -  from £600 per person -  initial enquiries to: www.hazelldesignsbooks.co.uk/contact.php

Our neighbour Cailean MacLean took this beautiful photo a couple of weeks ago from Aird Bernisdale, looking across Loch Snizort. It’s just a leisurely 10 minute walk from The Spoons to this view and the seals are often to be seen basking on the rocks. Guests can enjoy a stroll down there before coming back to the luxury of The Spoons Breakfast!
To view more of Cailean’s photos go to: http://www.skye-media.com

Peter Irvine describes The Spoons as “Small but all done beautifully. You’ll be lucky to get in. Egyptian cotton, home-made bread, fresh-laid eggs. All rather good really!”

Ian and I are really thrilled to be included in such a prestigious and iconic guide – Thank You!

You can download a PDF version of this article here: www.thespoonsonskye.com/5_star_luxury_bed_and_breakfast_homes_and_interiors_scotland_article.pdf

This week we are very proud to have been awarded 5 Stars by Visit Scotland Quality and Assurance. We are so pleased that all our hard work has paid off . Ian and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our lovely guests who have stayed with us in the first half of our first season. Thank you for all your wonderful comments and good wishes and for helping to make our first season such a memorable and enjoyable one. We’ve loved every minute of it and hope that our first Winter is as great a success as the first Summer. Autumn is really here now, the hills are golden and the light is crisp and from the 1st November you can enjoy 2 nights or more at The Spoons with 20% off!

125g Butter
150ml Honey
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
500g Oats (Jumbo/Pinhead/Coarse – or a mixture of your favourite oats)
100g Flaked Almonds
100g Chopped Nuts
100g Coconut Chips
200g Pumpkin & Sunflower Seeds
300g Dried Fruit (choose your favourite)

1. Preheat oven to 140c on fan assisted
2. Melt butter, honey, vanilla gently in pan
3. Mix all other ingedients (except fruit) in large mixing bowl
4. Stir in melted butter mixture and combine really well
5. Spread out into 2 large flat baking trays & bake for 25 minutes – mixing and turning every 5 minutes (Very Important!)
6. Remove from oven & mix every 5 minutes until cool to avoid clumping
7. Mix in dried fruit once cold
8. Keep in airtight container for up to 2 weeks
9. ENJOY!

The Independent: The 50 Best B&Bs – 30 May – 5 June 2009

Just opened, on Skye’s rugged Northeast coast, The Spoons is a custom-built B&B overlooking Loch Snizort. Packed with atmosphere inside, the three bedrooms and guest living room are decorated with antique mirrors, tweed sofas and cashmere throws.