Lord Torphichen facts for kids
The title Lord Torphichen (pronounced 'Tor-fikken') is a special rank in Scotland. It was created by Mary, Queen of Scots in 1564. She gave this title to Sir James Sandilands, who was related to her. The title can be passed down through his family.
Sir James Sandilands was once a leader (called a Preceptor) of the Knights Hospitaller. This was a very old group of knights. He chose the title "Torphichen" from the Torphichen Preceptory in West Lothian, where the knights had a base.
After Sir James, his great-nephew, James Sandilands, became the second Lord Torphichen. This James was also the feudal baron of Calder. From then on, the titles of Lord Torphichen and Baron of Calder were joined together. All later Lords Torphichen are related to this second Lord.
The seventh Lord Torphichen strongly supported the Acts of Union 1707, which joined Scotland and England. Later, the ninth and twelfth Lords Torphichen served in the British House of Lords. They were chosen to represent Scotland there.
Today, the 15th Lord Torphichen holds the title. He became Lord in 1975 after his father. He is also the Chief of Clan Sandilands and still holds the old title of Baron of Calder, which dates back to 1386.
The family's main home is Calder House. It is located near Mid Calder in West Lothian.
Who Were the Lords Torphichen?
This section lists the people who have held the title of Lord Torphichen since it was created. Each person inherited the title from the one before them.
- James Sandilands, 1st Lord Torphichen (around 1511–1579)
- James Sandilands, 2nd Lord Torphichen (around 1574–1617)
- James Sandilands, 3rd Lord Torphichen (around 1597–1622)
- John Sandilands, 4th Lord Torphichen (around 1598–1637)
- John Sandilands, 5th Lord Torphichen (1625–1649)
- Walter Sandilands, 6th Lord Torphichen (1629–1696)
- James Sandilands, 7th Lord Torphichen (died 1753)
- Walter Sandilands, 8th Lord Torphichen (1707–1765)
- James Sandilands, 9th Lord Torphichen (1759–1815)
- James Sandilands, 10th Lord Torphichen (1770–1862)
- Robert Sandilands, 11th Lord Torphichen (1807–1869)
- James Walter Sandilands, 12th Lord Torphichen (1846–1915)
- John Gordon Sandilands, 13th Lord Torphichen (1886–1973)
- James Bruce Sandilands, 14th Lord Torphichen (1917–1975)
- James Andrew Douglas Sandilands, 15th Lord Torphichen (born 1946)
The person who is next in line to inherit the title is called the heir presumptive. For the current Lord Torphichen, this is his first cousin twice removed, Robert Powell Sandilands (born 1950). The heir presumptive's own son, Ashton Powell Sandilands (born 1979), is next in line after him.
The Coat of Arms
A coat of arms is a special design that represents a family or a noble title. It's like a unique symbol. The Lord Torphichen family has its own coat of arms.
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The motto on the coat of arms is SPERO MELIORA. This is Latin for "I hope for better things."
See also
