Vellum is the traditional material used to make manuscripts pages. It was and is an expensive material to use. The vellum we use is specially made for us by Carbisdale tanner David Alexander

The traditional method of making Vellum is by soaking a skin, sheep, cow or deer in running water for several days. It is then immersed in a solution of lime and water for up to two weeks. All the hair is then scraped off and the skin is put back into the solution for another fortnight.  Next it is taken, stretched, and dried, then cleaned with pumice and water. It is critical to the process that the skins are dried under tension.  The result is an extremely fine and smooth surface for working with.

The Animals are not killed for their skin. If they were Vellum would be 10 times the price it currently is. All the animals are bred and raised for their meat, the skins are a by-product which would be dumped if tanners and vellum makers did not buy them. Reviving the art of vellum making is a kind of thrift. Its environmentally friendly, putting nothing harmful into the air, water or earth.