Perhaps, just perhaps, but which one????

[slohairt]

I think you've misunderstood the label of "ancient". It doesn't mean the colors they used to use. As you said, the natural dyes could produce colors just as vibrant as today's colors (although they may have faded faster).

Check out Matt newsome's article: http://www.albanach.org/colors.html

Exactly. The mills just use it as a synonym for 'aged'. Strathmore uses the term 'Old Colours'. Not the best terms there are, but we're stuck with them, I'm afraid.