Lord Torphichen or Baron Torphichen[1] (pronounced /ˈtɔːrfɪkən/) is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created by Queen Mary in 1564 for Sir James Sandilands (to whom she was related).[2][3][4]
Some Scottish titles (another title that can choose the heir is Lord Kinloss but there are others) are a rare exception to the typical rule that peerages cannot be transferred and must be inherited.[5] One of the few peerage titles that might be alienated from the bloodline, enabling it to be transferred or passed on to heirs who are not direct descendants.
As of 2017[update], the title is held by the 15th Lord, who succeeded his father in 1975. He is Chief of Clan Sandilands and also holds the title of Baron of Calder, granted in 1386.[4]
The family seat is Calder House, near Mid Calder, West Lothian.
- ^ "No. 23622". The London Gazette. 7 June 1870. p. 2876.
- ^ Lodge, Edmund, The Genealogy of the Existing British Peerage and Baronetage, Oxford University, 1869, P. 541
- ^ Debrett's Peerage at Internet Archive.
- ^ a b Douglas, Robert. The Peerage of Scotland: Containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom. pp. 669–672. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
- ^ Stevenson, John Horne (1897). Dignities. Vol. 4. pp. 226–227.