Douglas Days celebrations unite Teba & Melrose in the heart of Andalucía

From August 21 to 24, the Malaga Province village of Teba will celebrate its 19th year of Douglas’ Days, a festival that pays homage to Sir James Douglas and his pivotal role in the 1330 Battle of Teba against the occupying Moors.

This year’s event will feature a historic twinning with Melrose in Scotland, where Douglas’ heart and remains rest, together with historical reenactments, traditional Celtic music, and mediaeval markets.

Sir James Douglas, dubbed “Malaga’s ‘Braveheart’”, died fulfilling King Robert I of Scotland’s dying wish to carry his embalmed heart to the Holy Land. En route, Douglas joined Alfonso XI’s forces in the fight against Granada’s Nasrid kingdom, helping in the reconquest of the Castle of the Star. The battle claimed his life and those of most of his knights, whose remains were later returned to Scotland.

The festivities begin on Thursday, August 21, at 8pm with a presentation of John Barbour’s The Bruce by Professor Fernando Toda Iglesia. That evening, in Constitution Square, piper Leslie Thompson will perform the Douglas’ March to Teba.

On Friday, August 22, there will be a mediaeval market which opens at 7pm on Calle San Francisco, featuring bagpipers, parades, and interactive street theatre. The official opening ceremony in Constitution Square will be followed by José Verdugo’s play Tears for Itaba. At midnight, Celtic folk band Stolen Notes will perform in La Plaza de España.

Saturday, August 23, in the afternoon will include a reception for dignitaries and visitors, a parade, and the screening of Kike Mesa’s documentary James Douglas, the Man with Two Hearts. Starting at 9.30pm, The Conquest of Teba’s Alquerías will guide visitors through streets themed as Arab, Jewish, and Christian quarters, complete with mediaeval markets. The night ends with a concert by Mardanis, Sephardic and Eastern music artists.

The event finishes on Sunday, August 24, with open access to Teba’s historical sites, including the Municipal Historical Museum, the Castillo de la Estrella, the Holy Cross Church, and the Hermitage.

Douglas’ Days is getting bigger every year, and 2025’s street party will be no exception in an expression of community, history, culture, and international bonds, and will bring Teba and Melrose closer than ever.