Scotland's welcome for its first ever Tour de France stage must be a tour de force
Scotland should put on a spectacular welcome for the Tour de France
In 1903, a part-time chimney sweep called Maurice Garin cycled a grand total of 2,428km (about 1,500miles) around France to become the first ever winner of the Tour de France. In the event’s 123-year history, it’s been expanded into several other countries but never Scotland.
However, that’s about to change with confirmation of the route for the opening stage of the 2027 tour from Edinburgh to Carlisle. On July 2 that year, riders will travel by way of Innerleithen, Galashiels, Melrose, Selkirk, Hawick and Newcastleton. And yes, they will go all that way on a push bike in a few hours and then do something similar, day after day, for about three weeks.
It is a wonderful chance to showcase Scotland to the world – both our beautiful countryside and our people. In France, millions turn out to line the route, with many in colourful costumes, while farmers build impromptu monuments from hay bales and the like.
So, people of Scotland, it’s time to get our thinking caps on and devise a welcome so spectacular – a ‘tour de force’ – that this wonderful event will come again.
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