Tour de France 2027

Stage one of the world’s most prestigious cycle race will depart from Edinburgh on 2 July 2027 – whizzing through the Tweed Valley en route to Carlisle. Explore our section of the men’s Tour de France and discover why the valley is made for two-wheeled adventures

Welcoming the Tour

It will be a privilege and a marvel to welcome the world’s finest road cyclists to Scotland for the men’s Tour de France Grand Depart next summer. Riders will begin their epic, three-week journey on the historic streets of Edinburgh, a fitting backdrop to such a celebrated sporting event.

Our eyes, of course, will very much be on the section of route that passes through the spectacular Tweed Valley. Having navigated the rolling Moorfoot Hills to the south of Edinburgh – and their first modest climb of the tour, Broad Law at Heriot – riders will arrive in our corner of Scotland fresh-legged and fast paced.

Entering via ‘the Granites’, an especially scenic country road named after a local rock outcrop, the peleton will follow Leithen Water downstream towards Innerleithen on the banks of the River Tweed. Once a vibrant mill town and now a hub for all things outdoorsy, the town is famed for its downhill and enduro mountain bike scene.

A sharp turn east on Innerleithen High Street will see the cyclists on course for neighbouring Walkerburn – and a few speedy sections of fast rolling tarmac along the valley floor. If they have chance to glance right on the approach to Thornielee, they may catch glimpse of Elibank Castle, a 16th century tower house, before ramping up for the steady climb to Clovenfords village – where a statue of great local writer, Sir Walter Scott, will watch on.

Next stop: Galashiels and the Cote de Melrose.