Tour of Britain in Edinburgh: Route, timings and road closures
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the cycling event's arrival in Scotland
Edinburgh is gearing up to welcome the return of the country's biggest cycling race.
The penultimate leg of the Tour of Britain starts in Hawick, in the Scottish Borders, at 10.45am on Saturday (September the 11th).
Some of the world's best riders will follow a 194.8km route through Roberton (11.08am), Innerleithen (12.08pm), Heriot (12.36pm), Stow (1.05pm), Lauder (1.11pm), Westruther (1.28pm), and Duns (1.52pm), before finishing in the city's Holyrood Park (3.38pm).
And hundreds of spectators are expected to line the streets along the way to show their support.
You can view the interactive map of the Stage 7 route here.
Where's the best place to watch?
While the Borders is no stranger to the race, this is the first time Hawick has featured. Previous stages of the event are thought to have generated more than £3 million for the local economy.
The stage start will take place in North Bridge Street (TD9 9QT) before passing The Horse at the end of the High Street. The stage is due to start at 10.45am, with the teams being presented on the podium – located on the pedestrianised bridge at the northern end of North Bridge Street – in advance.
The riders will then head for the Ettrick Valley, via Roberton, before climbing up to Berrybush, where King of the Mountain points will be on offer; then race on to Innerleithen for a town centre sprint. After tackling the hills of ‘The Granites’ the riders will cut east to Heriot and race down the A7 to Stow.
Local residents are gearing up to mark this momentous occasion with a number of free cycling competitions and events, including a BMX pump track for children under 14 in Stow Park starting at 1.30pm. This fringe family event will be great fun for youngsters on their bikes and will include food, coffee and teas.
More King of the Mountain points will be available as the race climbs out of Stow towards Lauder, where there will then be sprint points available. A further sprint will take place in Duns, before a climb up to Wanside Rig via Ellemford and Cranshaws. The race will then drop down into East Lothian before a sprint for the finish line in Edinburgh city centre, in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat.
Who's going to be there?
Among the many world famous athletes that spectators can see from the roadside are record-equalling Tour de France stage winner Mark Cavendish; current World Champion and previous Tour of Britain winner Julian Alaphilippe; and Olympic medalists from Tokyo 2020 Ethan Hayter and Wout Van Aert (pictured below).
Key spectator information
ROAD CLOSURES: A rolling road closure will be enforced on each of the stages. This means roads on and around the race route will be closed for a short period in which it takes the race to pass by – usually about 10 to 15 minutes around the estimated time of arrival and indicated by police escort vehicles.
NO PARKING: The route is marked with yellow advanced warning signs in the run up to The Tour of Britain. Please don’t park on the route on the day: if necessary, vehicles may have to be removed.
LISTEN: There will be an advance vehicle 15 minutes ahead of the race, keeping you up to date with what is happening in The Tour of Britain.
CAUTION: Please keep children back from the edge of the road and animals on a lead, away from the roadside. Riders pass by very fast, and while we encourage support, please keep flags, objects, and photography equipment out of the road. Remember, taking selfies is fun, but turning your back on the race is never a good idea. Please always face the oncoming riders and race convoy.
POLICE: The Tour of Britain is escorted along the route by trained police officers and escort motorcyclists. If you are asked to stop by an officer, please listen carefully and obey their instructions.
SUPPORT: Don’t forget, this is a major international race and Britain’s largest free sporting event. So, show your support for the British heroes and the international stars who will be taking part and leave them with positive memories of the support at the Tour of Britain!
RESPECT THE RIDERS: We encourage everyone to get behind the riders, but please remember this is their race. Please don’t block their route, run alongside them, or impede their progress.
Where's the best place to park?
There are a number of car parks in Hawick – a full list can be found on the Scottish Borders Council website, however some will be closed on race day. The Common Haugh car park is free to use and provides a large number of spaces. It is located a short walk from the start area and away from any road closures associated with the event.
In Stow, spectators are recommended to arrive by train - but there will be additional parking on the day in the Quoiting Green.
What restrictions are in place?
The following town centre road closures and restrictions will be in place before and during the event in Hawick.
Closure 1: The following roads will be closed to vehicles from 10pm on Friday, September the 10th to 3pm on Saturday, September the 11th: North Bridge Street, Hawick – From Duke Street to Oliver Place; Duke Street, Hawick – From Mart Street to North Bridge Street; Oliver Place, Hawick – From North Bridge Street to Bourtree Place. Alternative Route: Southbound – via Mart Street and Bourtree Place.
Closure 2: The following roads will be closed to vehicular traffic from 3am to 3pm on Saturday, September the 11th: Duke Street, Hawick – from Mart Street to Glebe Mill Street; Earl Street, Hawick – from Duke Street to Trinity Street; Arthur Street, Hawick – from Earl Street to Noble Place. Alternative Route: East and Westbound – via Noble Place and Trinity Street.
No Parking: Parking will be prohibited from 6pm on Friday, September the 10th, to 3pm on Saturday, September the 11th: Duke Street – from Mart Street to Glebe Mill Street – both sides of the road; Earl Street – from Duke Street to Trinity Street - both sides of the road; Arthur Street – from Earl Street to Noble Place - both sides of the road; Duke Street – from Mart Street to North Bridge Street - both sides of the road; North Bridge Street – from Duke Street to Oliver Place - both sides of the road; Oliver Place – from North Bridge Street to Bourtree Place – both sides of the road.
Parking will also be prohibited from 10pm on Friday, September the 10th, to 3pm on Saturday, September the 11th: High Street – from North Bridge Street to Tower Knowe – both sides of the road. If possible, parking restrictions will be lifted earlier than 3pm on the Saturday.