Tour de France route revealed as Edinburgh prepares for historic Grand Départ

Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce has reported that the route for the opening stage of the 2027 Tour de France has been officially unveiled in Paris, confirming that the race will start in Edinburgh on 2 July 2027.

According to Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, the 184km opening stage will take riders from Edinburgh through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, before continuing through Dumfries and Galloway to Carlisle. The body said this will mark the first time the Tour de France has visited Scotland.

Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce said the Edinburgh leg of the route will begin at the Palace of Holyroodhouse before passing along the Royal Mile, North Bridge, Princes Street, The Mound, Lawnmarket, the 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 and Gilmerton Road, before continuing into Midlothian.

Council Leader Jane Meagher attended the official route reveal in Paris, alongside students from Portobello High School who have been taking part in the Girls Cycling Programme, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce said.

Meagher 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.”

She added: “We’ll be working with national active travel partners and local community organisations to create opportunities for people to get involved and discover how cycling can play a bigger part in their everyday lives.”

Meagher said the council’s priority was to make the event one that Edinburgh’s people could share in and feel proud of, while balancing the needs of visitors with those who live and work in the city throughout the year.

Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce said further details on community activities and preparations for the Grand Départ would be announced in the coming months, with more information available on the Forever Edinburgh website.