James Sandilands was a Scottish nobleman. He was the second son of Sir James Sandilands, 7th Lord of Calder. The feudal barony of Calder had belonged to the Sandilands family since 1348.
Knight Hospitaller
In December 1540 Sandilands was received into the Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta, which by that time had its headquarters in Malta, and on 3 March 1541 was conferred with the ancientry of Torphichen to the Preceptory and, following the death of Sir Walter Lindsay, succeeded him as Preceptor, authorized by a bull of 2 April 1547. He was invested with both the spirituality and temporality attendant to the position in June 1550. Despite the religious turmoil of the time, the Knights Hospitaller had managed to retain possession of their benefices in Scotland. In 1553, Sandilands was sent to France by the Parliament of Scotland to present the proposed Treaty of Edinburgh to Mary, Queen of Scots, and obtain her acquiescence in termination of the alliance between France and Scotland. His mission was a failure. On 24 January 1563, Sandilands appeared before Queen Mary at the behest of the Grand Preceptory, to surrender the lands and possessions of the Order, together with the title of Lord St. John, which he had held as Preceptor. The Queen accepted them and, showing her high regard for him, returned to him at a bargain price the lands of Torphichen, and conferred upon him the title of Lord Torphichen.
Family
James Sandilands married Janet Murray, daughter of William Murray of Tullibardine and Polmaise. James died without children at Hallyards Castle on 29 September 1579. Janet remained at Hallyards and married John Graham, who later adopted the title John Graham, Lord Hallyards. James was succeeded by his grand-nephew James Sandilands of Calder. Janet Murray died on 29 November 1596, which some historical books have given as an alternative date of James' death. The title of 'Lord Torphichen' thus passed to the nearest of his designated heirs: the grandson of his elder brother, also named James Sandilands, then current feudal Baron of Calder, who became the 2nd Lord Torphichen. Thereafter the two titles of feudal baron of Calder and lord Torphichen were conjoined, and inherited by the 2nd Lord Torphichen's successors up until the present day.
