Tour de France route through Scotland revealed ahead of Edinburgh Grand Départs

The full route of the opening stage of the 2027 Tour de France has been revealed, detailing the route from Edinburgh city centre that will start the world’s biggest annual sporting event.

The ‘Grand Départs’ will start in Edinburgh on Friday, July 2 2027, before heading south through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders to tackle ‘the Dingleton climb’ amidst the Eildon Hills.

The climb, formally known as the Côte de Melrose, has been used several times in the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men and Women’s – and will be where the first ‘polka dot’ jersey wearer of the Tour de France will be decided, as the sole classified mountain on the opening stage.

The stage will then continue through the Scottish Borders, briefly visiting Dumfries and Galloway before heading south to finish at Carlisle’s medieval castle – where the first yellow jersey of the Tour de France will be decided.

Edinburgh was confirmed as host of the Grand Départ last year but cycling fans have had to wait to learn the details of the Scottish route.

The three days of racing on British roads will be watched by thousands and Scottish crowds will setting the tone for the 2027 Tour.

First Minister John Swinney welcomed the announcement and said the race would showcase some of the best of Scotland.

“An iconic sporting event like the Tour de France starting on Edinburgh’s historic streets will be a truly memorable moment for Scotland,” he said.

“From our capital city, the stage will see the cyclists racing through some of our most beautiful countryside in Midlothian, the Scottish Borders – where they will face a tough test on the climb of the Côte de Melrose – and finally Dumfries and Galloway.

“Places such as Newtongrange, with its rich mining heritage; Galashiels, home to Scotland’s textile industry; and Canonbie, on the River Esk, will put their unique stamps on and become part of the history of this legendary event.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase some of the best of Scotland to millions of cycling fans around the world, whether they are watching from home or joining the many people here who will have the opportunity to see some of the world’s finest athletes competing on the streets of their towns and villages.”

Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France added: “The UK has always welcomed the Tour with passion and pride, and the route details we are revealing today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britain’s terrain.

“Bringing both Grand Départs here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK.”

David Somerville, head of performance and coaching at Scottish Cycling hailed a “huge milestone” for the sport in Scotland and looked forward to seeing homegrown stars enjoy a proud moment.

“Since the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ was announced last year, the Scottish Cycling community has been waiting with bated breath to see where the route would go after departing from Edinburgh, so today is a huge milestone,” he said.

“2025 saw two Scottish riders take to the start for the first time, and there is a strong chance we could build on that in 2027. What’s even more special is that for the likes of Oscar Onley and Sean Flynn, the route will head on roads they’ve used in training many times as young riders dreaming of racing in the biggest bike race in the world.”

Flynn, a professional cyclist for Team Picnic PostNL, said: “Having raced the Tour de France last year for the first time, it will be really surreal and exciting to see the whole theatre of the race move to Scotland for the opening stage.

“I think what separates the Tour de France from other races, is that it is a sporting event that’s bigger than a cycling event. For many people, the Tour is the first time they will come to watch a bike race and what a place to start; the buzz around the streets will be special.

“It’s the best possible way to introduce people to the sport and I hope it will inspire people to get on their bikes and involved in cycling!”

Following the first stage, the men’s race will head to Keswick, Liverpool and Welshpool, finishing the UK leg of the world’s biggest annual sporting event in Cardiff.

Alongside the announcement of the full UK route for the men’s event, Leeds was also confirmed as the start location for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. The race will kick off on Friday, July 30 2027 from the Yorkshire city, before crossing the Pennines to Manchester, then returning to Sheffield via the climbs of the Peak District, before concluding with a showpiece stage in London.