The 2027 Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh, with organisers confirming the full Scottish route for the Grand Départ next July.
The opening stage on July 2 will see the peloton navigate the streets of the Scottish capital before heading south through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, crossing into the north of England and finishing in Carlisle. The 184km stage marks the first time the Tour has visited Scotland.
Stage Details and Hosts
Two further stage one races are scheduled for the days following the Edinburgh launch: Keswick-Liverpool and Welshpool-Cardiff. Newcastleton in the Scottish Borders has also been confirmed as a host for one of the sprint stages.
The Tour’s official website has launched an interactive map for competitors and fans to browse the full route, available at letourgb.com.
Official Reactions
City of Edinburgh Council leader Jane Meagher attended the route launch in Paris, France, on Thursday, with pupils from Portobello High School. She said: “Hosting the Grand Départ is a huge moment for Edinburgh and for Scotland.”
Meagher added: “Our city has built a strong reputation for delivering major international events, and the Tour de France gives us another incredible opportunity to show the world what makes Edinburgh such a special place. But this is about more than the race itself. We want people across our communities to feel part of the occasion and to benefit from the opportunities it brings.”
Economic and Tourism Impact
Economy, Tourism and Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn, who attended the Paris unveiling, 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.”
Flynn noted the route passes through Edinburgh, Midlothian, the Scottish Borders, and Dumfries and Galloway, adding: “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.”
The route map can be found at letourgb.com.
