Sir James Caird (1837-1916) was a renowned Dundee businessman and philanthropist, who made his fortune in jute, pursuing employment practices and worker welfare that were progressive and enlightened for the time.  

Over his lifetime he made substantial financial donations to his home city of Dundee, including providing support for the Dundee Royal Infiirmary, funding the Caird Hall, and supporting scientific research.  His philanthropic work also included support for antarctic exploration, including most famously Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-17, which culminated in the rescue of the crew of Endurance after an 800-mile voyage to South Georgia in the Sir James Caird sailing boat - pictured above.

The Trust was set up in 1919 by Ms Marryat, to honour the memory of her brother, 'for the formation of Travelling Scholarships to be known as “Sir James Caird’s Travelling Scholarships” in Engineering, Electricity, Aeronautics, and Music, to be eligible to Natives of Scotland only'.  The purpose of the Trust has evolved with the times, and now concentrates its grant-giving on musical education.