Lord Torphichen


Lord Torphichen or Baron Torphichen is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created by Queen Mary in 1564 for Sir James Sandilands, with remainder to his heirs and assigns whatsoever.
The first Baron Sandilands had previously served as Preceptor of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta in Scotland, and took the title from the Torphichen Preceptory in West Lothian. He was succeeded by his great-nephew James Sandilands. Thereafter the Lordship of Parliament of Torphichen and the Feudal Barony of Calder were conjoined, and all later lords were descended from the second Lord Torphichen. His great-grandson, the seventh Lord, was a strong supporter of the union with England. His grandson, the ninth Lord, and great-great-grandson, the 12th Lord, sat in the House of Lords as Scottish Representative Peers., the title is held by the latter's great-grandson, the 15th Lord, who succeeded his father in 1975. He is Chief of Clan Sandilands and also holds the feudal title of Baron of Calder, granted in 1386.
Torphichen, is pronounced 'Tor-fikken'.
The family seat is Calder House, near Mid Calder, West Lothian.

Lords Torphichen (1564)

The heir presumptive is the present holder's first cousin twice removed Robert Powell Sandilands .
The heir presumptive's heir apparent is his only son Ashton Powell Sandilands.

Arms

BLAZON: Quarterly; 1st and 4th partie per fess azure and or, on the 1st a crown, and on the 2d a thistle, both proper, being the coat of augmentation; for as sir James Sandilands, lord of St. John, was great prior of Malta, in Scotland, the crown and thistle is born by his family as a badge of that office; the 2nd and 3rd quarters are counter-quartered, 1st and 4th argent, a bend azure, for Sandilands; 2nd and 3d the arms of Douglas.
CREST: on a wreath, an eagle displayed or.
SUPPORTERS: two savages, each wreath∣ed about the head and middle with laurel, and holding in his outer hand a baton, all pro∣per.
MOTTO: Spero meliora.