The Tour de France 2027 men’s race will start in Edinburgh, and on Thursday evening at 6pm a yellow beam of light will illuminate the sky above Edinburgh Castle as part of a coordinated “Tour de Skies” celebration.
The yellow beam will light up the skyline and it will be a similar scene in the nine other host towns and cities in England and Wales.
This single Yellow Line illumination across the country comes as the world’s biggest annual sporting event, Tour de France, announces the full route of the race.
Christian Prudhomme, Race Director, said that Edinburgh is one of his preferred cities in Europe. He said: “Edinburgh is a magical city for sure. Arthur’s Seat is just unbelievable. I am so happy. We want passion, huge crowds and beautiful landscape. All three stages will be gorgeous.”
In 2027, the Tour de France, and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, will both begin in the UK – the first time both Grand Départs have taken place in the same country, outside France.
On 2 July 2027 the opening stage begins in Edinburgh, heads south through Midlothian, the Borders, and Dumfries and Galloway. The sole categorised climb will be on the Côte de Melrose in the Eildon Hills. The route then takes cyclists across the border finishing in Carlisle at the castle.
After the first stage the men’s race heads to Keswick, Liverpool and Welshpool, finishing the UK leg in Cardiff.
The Grand Départ for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will take place in Leeds on 30 July 2027. Competitors will then cross the Pennines to Manchester, returning to Sheffield through the Peak District before concluding with a showpiece stage in London on 1 August. More details of the London stage are still to be announced.
British Cycling will recruit 7,000 volunteers to deliver the world’s biggest free-to-watch sporting event.
John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland, said: “An iconic sporting event like the Tour de France starting on Edinburgh’s historic streets will be a truly memorable moment for Scotland. 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.”
The City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Jane Meagher, said: “I have no doubt that the Tour de France Grand Depart will cement our reputation on the global stage. Edinburgh is well used to hosting major festivals and events, and this is an excellent opportunity to showcase the city. To have the world’s largest annual sporting event setting off from the Capital will be a moment of great pride for our residents and will bring our city to new audiences all over the world.
“From boosting our local economy, through to promoting an active lifestyle, greater general participation in cycling, and increased use of active travel infrastructure – I’m confident that the wider legacy of the Tour de France will be a positive one for Edinburgh.”
Christian Prudhomme, Director, Tour de France (ASO), said: “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.”
Marion Rousse, Director, Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, said: “The United Kingdom has played an important role in the history of women’s cycling, with champions such as Lizzie Armitstead-Deignan. Starting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour. These stages clearly reflect the race’s ambition: to continue growing women’s cycling and to inspire future generations.”
Lizzie Deignan, British road and track racing world champion, said: “Racing the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift has been one of the highlights of my career, and seeing the women’s edition go from strength to strength has been genuinely inspiring. To know that both the men’s and women’s races will start here in 2027, and especially that the women will come to my home roads of Yorkshire, is truly special. This is a huge moment for the sport and an opportunity that will inspire countless women and girls to get on their bikes.”
Scottish Cycling’s Head of Performance and Coaching, David Somerville said: “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.
“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.”
The route
From Edinburgh the opening stage will head through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, tackling the day’s sole climb on the Côte de Melrose in the Eildon Hills. Tracing the Scotland/England border along Liddesdale, the route briefly dips into Dumfries & Galloway before crossing into Cumberland, where the opening stage finish awaits in Carlisle, outside the city’s medieval castle.
The second stage will begin in Keswick in the heart of the Lake District National Park, heading south alongside Thirlmere, Grasmere, Rydal Water and Windermere and skirting the Morecambe Bay coastline, before heading to the Lancashire fells via Lancaster and the Côte de Jubilee Tower. The undulating route includes a further four categorised climbs on the edge of Pennines before entering the Liverpool City Region, for the stage finish on The Strand in Liverpool, under the watchful gaze of the Three Graces.
The third and final day of the Tour de France 2027 Grand Départ will take place in Wales, for a challenging leg south from Welshpool in Powys to the finish in Cardiff. Eight categorised climbs line the route, with six in the final 80 kilometres of racing as the race wends its way through and over the south Wales valleys. These include the Côte de Rhigos and the popular Côte de Caerffili in the closing kilometres, that will likely be decisive in the deciding the stage victor in Cardiff and the destination of the final yellow jersey to be presented on British shores in the men’s race.
Social Impact
Alongside the route announcement, organisers also revealed Joy, the social impact programme at the heart of the 2027 Grand Départ, that aims to tackle inactivity and improve mental wellbeing, support communities to thrive, and to make Britain more productive and prosperous.
Six core programmes will be rolled out across the home nations, with organisers working collaboratively with governments, local councils, core delivery partners and community representatives to create opportunities for young people to develop their skills, break down barriers for girls in sport, and to showcase community culture through the voices of Britain.
Additionally, British Cycling will look to recruit more than 7,000 volunteers for the Grand Départ, inviting people across the UK to play a hands-on role in delivering the world’s biggest free-to-watch sporting event. Thousands of opportunities will be available across route operations, spectator support and community engagement, offering people of all ages the chance to be part of Tour history, with more details to be announced when the programme is launched in the spring.
To find out more information and keep up-to-date with the 2027 Grand Départs, please visit letourgb.com
