Drop-in sessions being held ahead of 2027’s Tour de France coming to Borders
Borderers are being given a chance to find out more about a sporting event set to give the region a starring role on the world stage next summer.
Scottish Borders Council officials are lining up a handful of drop-in information sessions ahead of the region hosting part of 2027’s Tour de France.
The Borders will play host to the majority of stage one of the 114th edition of the world’s most famous cycle race on Friday, July 2, next year.
It’s scheduled to set off from Edinburgh, then head 114 miles south to Carlisle via Heriot, Innerleithen, Clovenfords, Galashiels, Melrose, Selkirk, Ashkirk, Hawick and Newcastleton.
All but the initial 11 miles of that opening stage out of Edinburgh and through Midlothian and concluding 25 miles or so via Dumfries and Galloway and south of the border in Cumbria will be along the region’s roads.
It will be the first time the tour has set off from Scotland since it began staging grand departs outwith France back in 1954.
It will also be only the third time the UK has hosted an opening stage, following 2007’s setting off from London and 2014’s from Leeds in West Yorkshire.
This month’s five drop-in sessions will be held on Monday and Tuesday, May 18 and 19.
Monday’s take place at Newcastleton Community Centre from 10.30am to noon and Hawick Town Hall from 1.30pm to 3pm.
Tuesday’s are at Innerleithen Memorial Hall from 9.30am to 11am, Galashiels Academy from 12.30pm to 2.15pm and Melrose Corn Exchange from 2.45pm to 4.15pm.
They’re intended to give residents and businesses a chance to find out more information about the race’s route through the Borders, how it will benefit the region and how to get involved if so wished.
Further community engagement events will follow, with dates to be confirmed.
A council spokesperson said: “These events are an opportunity for local residents and businesses to find out more information about the event, what it means for the Borders and how to get involved.
“The Tour de France is broadcast in over 190 countries, with an estimated global television audience of up to four-billion people across the three-week race. At least 12 million people watch the race annually at the roadside.
“The council and partners are working together to ensure that this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity delivers significant economic benefits for the area and a long-term legacy.”
More details can also be found online at https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/tourdefrance
Next year’s opening stage is one of three in Britain before the tour heads for its homeland.
The others, one in England and the other in Wales, are both 139 miles-long. Stage two goes from Keswick in Cumbria to Liverpool and stage three is from Welshpool to Cardiff.
This year’s 2,071-mile tour starts at Barcelona in Spain on Saturday, July 4, and heads north into France two days later, wrapping up in Paris on Sunday, July 26.