Thursday October 22nd 2026
Provost Debbi McCall on the far right is pictured with just some of the council officers working on Tour de France plans for Midlothian. From left to right are Wayne Clark, Roads Group Manager, Roddy Murray, Key Worker with Communities, Lifelong Learning and Employment, Campbell Orr, Active Travel Team Leader, Ewan Laing, Business Adviser and Oliver Caron-Nowak, Active Travel Marketing Officer (Schools).
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Excitement is building in Midlothian as the full route for the opening stage of the 2027 Tour de France has been revealed, with the world’s most famous cycling race set to pass through the county after beginning in Scotland for the first time.
The race will start in Edinburgh on Friday, July 2, 2027, before heading south towards Carlisle, passing through Midlothian, the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway.
The route will enter Midlothian via the A7, passing Dobbies Garden Centre before the official race start takes place on the A7 bridge over the River North Esk. Riders will then travel through the heart of the county, passing the Tesco roundabout and the National Mining Museum Scotland in Newtongrange before continuing towards Gorebridge and into the Scottish Borders.
Thousands of spectators are expected to line Midlothian’s roads to cheer on the world’s elite cyclists. Ahead of the race, fans will also be treated to the famous Tour de France publicity caravan, which traditionally travels the route before the riders, creating a carnival atmosphere and entertaining crowds along the way.
Midlothian Council is working closely with partners, event organisers and local stakeholders to prepare for the race and ensure communities can take full advantage of the opportunities it will bring.
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.
“Today’s route announcement helps bring the event to life, allowing people to see exactly where riders will pass through Midlothian and begin planning how they can be part of this historic occasion.
“We are looking forward to working with partners, businesses and local communities to ensure Midlothian plays its part in delivering a spectacular Scottish welcome while creating lasting benefits for the area.”
The route announcement marks another major milestone on the journey towards the 2027 Grand Départs, with Britain set to become the first country outside France to host the starts of both the men’s Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in the same year.
Tour de France Grand Depart map
The Edinburgh leg of the route will begin at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, then: Royal Mile – North Bridge – Princes Street – The Mound – Lawnmarket – Castle esplanade – Johnston Terrace – Castle Terrace – Lady Lawson Street – Grassmarket – Victoria Street – George IV Bridge – Chambers Street – South Bridge – Newington Road – Cameron Toll – Liberton Road – Gilmerton Road – then on to Midlothian.
The men’s race will begin in Edinburgh, while the women’s race will start in Leeds on Friday, July 30.
The announcement also confirmed the locations of intermediate sprints on the five British road stages. Newcastleton in the Scottish Borders will host the sprint on stage one, while Melrose will feature the stage’s only official categorised climb.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn 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.”
Councillor Jane Meagher, Leader of the 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.”
Councillor Euan Jardine, Leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: “It is a real honour for the Scottish Borders to host the majority of stage one of the 2027 Tour de France. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our communities to witness and celebrate one of the world’s greatest sporting events on our doorstep. The race will also shine a global spotlight on the South of Scotland, showcasing our stunning landscapes and reinforcing our reputation as Scotland’s leading cycling destination.
“We are particularly excited that Melrose will feature the stage’s only official categorised climb, while Newcastleton will host the intermediate sprint on stage one. Both locations will provide fantastic opportunities for spectators to experience the race atmosphere and be part of cycling history.
“With just 250 days to go, excitement is building across the region, and we look forward to welcoming tens of thousands of visitors to the Scottish Borders. From the only categorised climb of stage one in Melrose to the intermediate sprint in Newcastleton, spectators will be at the heart of the action as riders compete for crucial points towards the iconic red polka dot and green jerseys.”
Councillor Tracey Little, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee, said: “We are really excited to play our part in hosting day one of the race. Dumfries and Galloway have a proud history of cycling both in terms of the creation of the first bicycle as we know it and in recent years in hosting major cycling events. I am sure the Tour de France will be no different and will receive the same level of enthusiasm and support from our residents as previous events have. Roll on 2027!”
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.”
Paul Bush, Managing Director of 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.”
Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme 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.”
The Tour de France will make its fifth visit to Britain in 2027, with the men’s race beginning its three-week journey in Edinburgh before three stages through Scotland, north-west England and Wales.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will make its first visit to Britain, starting in Leeds on Friday, July 30. Its British stages will culminate with an 18-kilometre team time trial through central London on Sunday, August 1 — the first of its kind in the women’s race.
All six stages of the two Grand Départs will be broadcast live on free-to-air television in the UK on Five, alongside coverage on TNT Sports, which will broadcast the entirety of both races.
Tickets for the Tour de France opening ceremony and presentation of the riders at Edinburgh Castle on Wednesday, June 30, go on pre-sale at midday on Friday, October 23, with general sale beginning on October 30.
An interactive map showing the opening stage from Edinburgh to Carlisle, including the sprint location and categorised climb, is available on the Tour de France Grand Départ website.
Further information about local arrangements, community events and opportunities for residents and businesses to get involved will be shared on Midlothian Council’s Tour de France webpage as planning progresses.
Tweet Share on Facebook
