Sir James Sandilands of Slamannan, was a Gentleman of the Bedchamber to James VI and later the keeper of Blackness Castle

Clan Sandilands

This name comes from the lands of Sandilands in Clydesdale. The family who were later to bear the name, may originally have fled to Scotland from Northumberland in the reign of Malcolm III.

Sir James de Sandilands distinguished himself in the wars against the English, and was rewarded with a royal chartyer to his lands by David II. He married Eleanor, the only daughter of Sir Archibald Douglas, Regent of Scotland, who was the widow of Alexander Bruce, Earl of Carrick. Sandilands received from his brother-in-law, Lord Douglas, the lands of Calder in Lothian. Sir James was killed at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333.

The Sandilands found themselves in opposition to their Douglas releatives as they were unshakeable in their loyalty to James II. John Sandilands and his uncle, James were assasinated at Dumbarton by Patrick Thornton on the orders of the Douglas faction. James Sandilands then inherited the estates and married an heiress, Margaret Kinlock of Cruvie. One of their sons, James Sandilands of Cruvie, established the line later to become Lords Abercrombie.

Sir James Sandilands of Calder, a friend of the protestant reformer, John Knox, was also preceptor of the powerful religious and military Order of the Knights of St John, whose headquarters were at the Priory of Torphicen in West Lothian. When the Order was suppressed he managed to obtain a grant of its land on payment to the Crown of ten thousand crowns in gold and an annual rent of five hundred merks. Sir James kept his seat in Parliament, being created Lord Torphicen. .... electricscotland.com

• A1. Sir James de Sandilands, d:1358, m. Eleanor Douglas;  ==>  Clan Douglas
  • B1. Sir James Sandilands of Calder, lvd:1384, d:1358, m. Jean Stewart;  ==>  House of Stewart
    • C1. Sir James Sandilands of Calder,
      • D1. Sir John Sandilands of Calder, m. Christian Dundas;  ==>  Clan Dundas
        • E1. Sir James Sandilands of Calder, m. Margaret Kerr;  ==>  Clan Kerr
          • I1. Margaret Sandilands, d:1668, m. Sir Laurence Oliphant;  <==  Clan Oliphant