Route For Tour Of Britain Race Revealed

September will see the Aviva Tour of Britain visit Edinburgh for the first time with the stage start in Holyrood Park.

From there the route will pass some of the Scottish capital's most famous sites before racing through East Lothian and the Scottish Borders and into Northumberland.

Wooler, Alnwick and Warkworth are all on the route before the finish in Blyth.

It's a real chance for people to get up close and personal with the biggest race in the UK and organisers are hopeful it'll help bolster the City Council's bid to host the Tour De France here in 2018 or 2019.

Cyclists will face a spectacular journey through the heart of the Capital, starting in Holyrood Park, winding past the Scottish Parliament and along the Royal Mile towards Edinburgh Castle. The race will descend Johnston Terrace and travel through the Meadows before passing Arthur’s Seat and heading out of the city. After leaving Edinburgh, the race will move on to East Lothian.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Festivals and Events Champion, said: “This will be the first time in history that the UK’s most prestigious cycling race traces the winding streets of the Scottish Capital to launch the event north of the border. It’s going to be a spectacular sight.

"As the starting point and host city of the Scottish stage and with the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyrood House and ancient volcano Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh is the place to be to experience the thrill of the Tour of Britain.”

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland said: “Scotland is gearing up to welcome the Aviva Tour of Britain and the top international cyclists and enthusiasts it brings with it from around the world. "Scotland is the perfect stage for events with a global reputation for cycling and I’m certain the stages unveiled today will offer up some of Scotland’s most iconic and picturesque locations as a backdrop across the handlebars, as well as a fantastic spectator experience for all ages.”

Chief Executive for Scottish Cycling Craig Burn added: “Scottish Cycling is continuing to see an upsurge in interest in all areas of cycling. The Aviva Tour of Britain is a great showcase for cycling in Scotland and the hard work of the daily activities of our 178 clubs and the 600 plus events staged annually by our clubs and members.”

The Aviva Tour of Britain is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event giving cycling fans the opportunity to see the world’s best teams and riders competing on their door step. Details of the rest of the Scottish route are being announced by Sweetspot, East Lothian Council and Scottish Borders Council.