Grand Départ cycling extravaganza will see hundreds of cyclist set off from Holyrood
The Tour de France have today revealed their full 2027 route - which will begin in Scotland for the first-time - as Edinburgh hosts the start of the race on Friday, July 2.
Britain becomes the first country outside of France to host the ‘Grand Départ’ start of the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in the same year, as the races start in Edinburgh and Leeds respectively.
Additionally, the location of the sprints on the five British road stages were also confirmed today, with Newcastleton in the Scottish Borders hosting the intermediate sprint on stage one - including the sole official categorised climb of the leg at Melrose.
Grand Départ 114th edition of men’s race will see hundreds of cyclist set off from Holyrood onto Cannongate and High Street then right onto North Bridge, past Waverley Station, before turning left on to Princes Street, past the Scott Monument, then left again onto The Mound.
Read more: The start of the Tour de France 2027 route through Edinburgh city centre revealed
From there the cyclists will snake onto Bank Street then right to Lawnmarket then through the roundabout onto Johnston Terrace where they will continue until they reach Castle Terrace before making a left at Lady Lawson Street.
The tour will take a right at West Port and head up Grassmarket. They will then cycle onto West Bow and Victoria Street before taking a right onto King George IV Bridge then a left at Chambers Street and a right at South Bridge.
They then head to the Southside, past the Surgeon’s Hall Museum and The Queen’s Hall towards Inch Park eventually joining Gilmerton Road and crossing the City Bypass. They will join the A7 south at Dalkeith.
The route then takes them onto the B7007 at Middleton, towards The Borders, past the Ivy Lynn Waterfall before joining the A72 at Innerleithen.
Cyclists then head to Galasheils and Hawick and Newcastleton before crossing into Dumfries and Galloway and then Cumbria, finishing the leg in Carlisle.
All six stages of the two Grands Départs will be broadcast live on free-to-air television in the UK.
Paul Bush, managing director, Grand Départ GB 2027, said: “To have both the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift starting in Britain next summer is extraordinary, and a historic moment. These routes showcase what a spectacular stage Scotland, England and Wales will provide. The women's team time trial will be such a memorable moment, passing through the heart of London, finishing on The Mall – the first of its kind in the modern history of the race.”
Britain's role in the 2027 races was showcased during today's official presentation at the Palais des Congrès in Paris attended by MSP Stephen Flynn, MP Stephanie Peacock and Welsh Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport Heledd Fychan.
Mr Flynn, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport said: “I was delighted to be in Paris for the unveiling of the full route of the 2027 Tour De France. This is another exciting milestone on the road to the Tour de France Grand Départ coming to Scotland in 2027.
"Seeing the full route confirmed, from the streets of Edinburgh through Midlothian, the Scottish Borders, and Dumfries and Galloway, really brings home what a special moment this will be for communities right across the country. Having the eyes of the world on Scotland once again can only be of benefit to our economy and will bring a further boost to our tourism sector, as people head to Scotland to watch one of the world’s most popular sporting events.
"I would encourage people across Scotland to get involved as we build towards July 2027, and to make the most of this incredible opportunity to showcase all that Scotland has to offer."
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Cllr Jane Meagher, Leader of City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Hosting the Grand Départ here in Edinburgh is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the very best of our capital city and the wider country.
“Events of this scale bring world-class sport to our residents and visitors alike, and deliver significant opportunities for local businesses, while inspiring more people to get on their bikes and experience the benefits of cycling.
“We’re incredibly proud to welcome the Tour de France to Edinburgh, and preparations are already well underway. We look forward to welcoming riders, teams, and spectators from around the world for what promises to be a truly memorable occasion.”
Midlothian Council Provost Debbi McCall said: "The excitement is really starting to build as we take another step towards welcoming the Tour de France to Midlothian in 2027. Hosting part of the world's most famous cycling race will be a once-in-a-generation moment for our communities, giving residents and visitors the chance to experience the atmosphere, spectacle and sporting drama right on their doorstep. We are looking forward to working with partners, businesses and local communities to ensure Midlothian plays its part in delivering a spectacular Scottish welcome."
Christian Prudhomme, Tour de France director, said: “Just a few weeks apart, the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will each take their respective pelotons on a journey through the roads of the United Kingdom. Along with what we anticipate will be a warm and massive welcome for the champions, Great Britain also offers us a symbol that further ties the two races together. From the start on 2 July at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, which will be the northernmost in the history of the Tour, to a team time trial in London on 1 August, which will undoubtedly bring to mind the one where the champions battled it out twenty years earlier, nearly 900 kilometers will be covered. Needless to say, there will be thousands of thrills and emotions.”
Rob Dickson, VisitScotland Director of Industry and Events, added: "Today’s route announcement marks another exciting milestone on the journey to welcoming the Tour de France to Scotland. As the opening stage travels through our stunning landscapes and welcoming communities, millions of viewers around the world will gain a glimpse of the experiences that make Scotland such a special place to visit.
“The Tour de France is one of the most recognisable sporting events in the world and hosting the Grand Départ presents a unique opportunity to inspire future visitors, support local businesses and celebrate our outstanding cycling offering.
“Major events of this scale create lasting benefits for destinations and communities, and we look forward to welcoming the world to Scotland in 2027 and demonstrating why Scotland is the perfect stage for events of this scale and significance."
Nick Rennie, Chief Executive of Scottish Cycling, said; “Today’s full route announcement only adds further excitement to the prospect of the Tour de France Grand Départ starting in Scotland next summer. With 253 days until that momentous occasion, Scottish Cycling is working with a range of partners to ensure we make the most of what is arguably the most significant moment in cycling history in Scotland. Our job is to encourage as many people and communities to get involved in the race as possible, whether that’s lining the streets, getting on a bike for the first time, or being inspired to strive to be the next Oscar Onley.”
Alongside further detail of all the British stages, the route for an 18-kilometre team time trial in central London for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift on Sunday 1 August was revealed for the first time. This will be the first ever team time trial in the history of the women’s race.
The Grands Départs will see the Tour de France make only its fifth visit to Britain, and begin its three-week odyssey in Edinburgh on Friday 2 July, with three stages through Scotland, north-west England and Wales, before a route that will bend towards the sky in Morvan and the Alps before leading the riders to Mende and onto the decisive showdown in the Pyrenees.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will then make its first visit to Britain, kicking off in Leeds on Friday 30 July, to echo memories of the spectacular men’s Grand Départ of 2014. The three British stages will culminate with the London team time trial, while it was revealed the overall race will lead the peloton all the way to the slopes of the Massif Central and the iconic Puy de Dôme where the queen will be crowned.
Tickets for the Tour de France opening ceremony and presentation of the riders event at Edinburgh Castle, on Wednesday 30 June, go on pre-sale at midday tomorrow (Friday 23 October), with general sale beginning a week later on 30 October.