Cycling fans will be able to catch a glimpse of the Tour de France as it departs from Scotland for the first time in its 120-year history.

The official route for the 2027 race has been confirmed, with Stage 1 of the men’s race setting off from Edinburgh before winding south across the border.

Details of the stage were part of Thursday’s full route reveal for the men’s and women’s Tours, which will start in the UK as Britain becomes the first country outside France to host the start of both races in the same year.

Where will the race be in Scotland?

Stage 1 of the men’s race will set off from Edinburgh’s Holyrood Palace on July 2.

Tour de France

The peloton will then 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.

It will go on 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.

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.”

Tour de France

Opening ceremony

Ahead of the event, Edinburgh Castle will host the Tour de France opening ceremony.

The ceremony will take place on the castle Esplanade on June 30 and will feature the official presentation of the riders ahead of the 114th edition of the men’s race.

This will introduce the world’s top cyclists and their teams to fans ahead of the Grand Depart from the city on July 2.

It will also feature a performance by the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, including Highland dancers, massed pipes and drums, and new music created specially for the occasion.

Celebrations are set to extend beyond the castle walls, giving fans across Scotland’s capital the chance to see the riders en route to the castle and join in the festivities ahead of the Grand Depart.

Tickets for the event will go on general sale from Friday, October 30, priced from £27.

A pre-sale window will be available from October 23 to anyone who has subscribed in time to the official newsletter for next year’s Grands Départs.

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 would “deliver significant opportunities for local buisnesses”

She added: “We’re incredibly proud to welcome the Tour de France to Edinburgh, and preparations are already well under way. We look forward to welcoming riders, teams, and spectators from around the world for what promises to be a truly memorable occasion.”

In 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.

Councillor Euan Jardine, leader of Scottish Borders Council, added: “It is a real honour for the Scottish Borders to host the majority of stage one of the 2027 Tour de France. 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.”

Full Tour de France route

A 223km stage two will take the peloton from Keswick to Liverpool via 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 a final showdown in the Pyrenees, where the battle for yellow should be settled.

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

Key to the overall battle will be a total of 71 kilometres of time trialling on stages seven and 16, the most since Sir Bradley Wiggins became the first British winner of the Tour in 2012.

The final stage onto the Champs-Élysées in Paris will once again include three ascents of the climb to Montmartre, which has become so popular since the 2024 Olympics, reshaping the traditional sprint finish to the Tour as Mathieu van der Poel took a thrilling victory this summer.

Tour de France Femmes will include what promises to be a spectacular 18-kilometre team time trial through the heart 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.