ScottishNews.com

The full route for the historic opening stage from the Scottish capital to Carlisle was officially unveiled in Paris and cycling fans will be able to watch as Stage 1 of the men’s race sets off from Edinburgh’s Holyrood Palace on July 2.

The 184km opening stage of the Grand Départ will take riders from Edinburgh through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, before continuing through Dumfries and Galloway to Carlisle. It will mark the first time the Tour de France has visited Scotland, bringing one of the world’s biggest sporting events to the country.

The peloton will travel up the Royal Mile, down the North Bridge, along Princes Street, through the Mound, onto Lawnmarket, Castle Esplanade, Johnston Terrace, Castle Terrace, Lady Lawson Street, and into the Grassmarket, and along Victoria Street, George IV Bridge, and Chambers Street.

Riders will then face a stretch from South Bridge down to Newington Road, Cameron Toll, before turning onto Gilmerton Road, heading over the City Bypass and joining the A7 and heading into Midlothian. The route will then pass Dobbies Garden Centre and continue south, where the official race start will take place on the A7 bridge over the River North Esk.

Riders will then travel through the heart of Midlothian, passing the Tesco roundabout and the National Mining Museum Scotland in Newtongrange before continuing towards Gorebridge and onwards into the Scottish Borders to Broad Law, Innerleithen, and through Galashiels.

Participants will then tackle the day’s sole king of the mountains climb on the Côte de Melrose amidst the Eildon Hills, passing through Selkirk, Ashkirk, Hawick and Newcastleton, before heading on to Longtown in Cumbria, and crossing into Cumberland, where the opening stage finish awaits in Carlisle, outside the city’s medieval castle. Newcastleton will also host the intermediate sprint on Stage 1.

Midlothian council provost Debbi McCall said hosting part of the race would be a “once-in-a-generation moment”, giving residents and visitors the chance to experience the atmosphere, spectacle and sporting drama on their doorstep.

Edinburgh Castle will host the Tour de France’s spectacular opening ceremony delivered by the world famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the castle Esplanade on June 30.

Including the official Presentation of Riders Ceremony for the 2027 Tour de France, the ceremony will see the cyclists and their teams introduced to fans. Blending elite sport, world-class Scottish traditional arts and community participation, the ceremony will feature massed pipes and drums, a bespoke song created by Angus MacPhail of the iconic Scottish band Skippinish, and cultural showcases celebrating the best of Britain and France.

Celebrations and activities will extend along the Royal Mile and surrounding areas, so that fans without tickets can also see the teams and riders and be part of the occasion.

Tickets priced £27 will go on general sale from Friday, October 30. A pre-sale window will be available from October 23. Members of British Cycling, Scottish Cycling and Beicio Cymru will also have access to a pre-sale window on October 24.

Edinburgh Council leader, Jane Meagher, said the event is “a huge moment for Edinburgh and Scotland”. 

She said: “Hosting the Grand Départ is a huge moment for Edinburgh and for Scotland. 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. From celebrating our city on the international stage to inspiring more people to get on their bikes, I’m confident the legacy of the Tour will go well beyond the opening day.”

The full Tour de France route - 223km stage two - will take the peloton from Keswick to Liverpool through the Forest of Bowland, and a challenging 223km stage three goes through the heart of Wales between Welshpool and Cardiff.

After crossing into France, the Tour will make its way from Normandy to the Alps via the Jura mountains and then across the Massif Central towards the Pyrenees.

Six mountain stages will include three summit finishes on the Grand Colombier, Les Saisies and the Col du Portet.

The final stage onto the Champs-Élysées in Paris will include three ascents of the climb to Montmartre.

Tour de France Femmes will be a 18-kilometre team time trial through the centre of London, finishing on the Mall. The third stage of the women’s race on August 2 will take riders past the Houses of Parliament, Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral, crossing Tower Bridge and going through both Trafalgar Square and Hyde Park before finishing in front of Buckingham Palace.

Cabinet secretary for economy, tourism and transport Stephen Flynn said: “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.”