As first town updates of 2026 go, this feels like a rather good way to begin…
In July 2027, the Scottish Borders will play a major role in hosting Stage 1 of the Tour de France, the world’s most famous cycle race. It will be the first time the Tour has ever come to Scotland – and Galashiels will be right there at the heart of it.
After setting off from Edinburgh, the race will travel through much of the Borders before heading south, passing through towns and villages including Innerleithen, Clovenfords, Galashiels, Melrose, Selkirk, Ashkirk, Hawick and Newcastleton. For a short while, our streets and surrounding landscape will form part of a route watched by millions of people across the world.
To give a sense of the scale, the Tour de France is broadcast in over 190 countries and watched by an estimated 3.5 to 4 billion people over the course of the three week race, with around 12 million spectators lining the route each year. It is a remarkable level of attention, and one that very few places ever experience.
We have also seen first hand how cycling events can bring real benefits to the Borders. When the region hosted the opening stage of the Tour of Britain Men in 2024, an investment of £147,000 resulted in almost £2.5 million for the local economy. With the Tour de France’s much wider reach, there is a strong expectation that it could deliver even greater impact, along with a lasting legacy for tourism, local business and community confidence.
Here in Galashiels, we are already beginning to think about how we can make the most of this opportunity for the town, from offering a warm welcome to visitors and shining a light on local businesses, to sharing the character, creativity and community spirit that make Galashiels what it is.
