Although it has been stolidly nestling between Victorian buildings for nearly 200 years, St. Mark’s Unitarian Church in Castle Terrace, the only Unitarian church in Edinburgh, is one of the city’s best-kept secrets (writes MARTYN BAGULEY).
Unitarianism isn’t a New Age religion – there have been Unitarian congregations in Edinburgh since 1776 – but the meaning of the name has changed with time.
Originally used to affirm the oneness of God as opposed to the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, it has evolved to represent a ‘unifying’ home for all of us who are on different spiritual journeys, from Christians to atheists.
Whilst drawing on the inspiration of Christianity and other religions, philosophies and nature, it encourages members to be open-minded and develop their own spiritual paths.
The welcome you will receive on arriving and the peaceful atmosphere of the church sanctuary are not unique to St. Mark’s, but you will find that aspects of the service are. Led by either the resident minister, The Rev. Janine Sim, a visiting minister or lay preacher, there may, or may not, be readings from the Bible, but there will be thought-provoking readings from secular works and references made to other religions.
There will be moments for meditation or prayer, a sermon on the theme of the service – which can be found up to 3 days before the service by Googling https://www.edinburgh-unitarians.org.uk – musical interludes when a talented pianist plays the superb Weinbach grand piano (worth coming just for that!) and probably three hymns.
Some, but not all, of the hymn tunes may be familiar to you, but the words may not be. Don’t worry: you can sit or stand and just quietly reflect on the meaningful words.
After the service you can enjoy light refreshments in the adjacent church hall where you will probably meet and make friends with people from not only Edinburgh but also from many other places in Britain and the world.
Who knows – you make want to come again – and again.
Two males, aged 17 and 15, have been arrested and charged after a report of people with bladed weapons seen in Edinburgh city centre yesterday.
Officers, including specialist firearms officers, were called to Rose Street around 2.55pm on Friday, 16 January, 2026.
No one was reported as injured.
The 17-year-old is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 19 January.
The 15-year-old will be reported to the relevant youth justice authorities.
Detective Inspector Alan Sharp said: “We are grateful for the support shown by the public to our investigation so far.
“Further enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances. I would urge anyone who may have been in the area at the time and has not yet spoken to police to get in touch.
“You can call 101, quoting reference 1999 of 16 January, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
The National Autistic Society Scotland is calling for real change for autistic people, ahead of the Scottish Parliament election in May.
The new campaign calls on the next Scottish Government to introduce the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill to parliament as soon as possible.
Autistic people in Scotland are waiting months, if not years, for an assessment and experience poorer health outcomes than the general population. At school, autistic pupils face exclusion and isolation due to lack of support, and in community settings autistic people face discrimination stemming from a lack of understanding and access to services.
The campaign is split into four key areas: diagnosis and support; accessible healthcare; support in schools; and inclusive communities. The LDAN Bill can play a transformative role in each of these areas by introducing national and local plans to tackle waiting lists, introducing mandatory training in healthcare and education, and addressing a glaring lack of accountability in the public services and systems meant to support autistic people in Scotland.
Rob Holland, Director of the National Autistic Society Scotland, said:‘Too often we hear from autistic people and families that do not have the support they need to live fulfilled lives on their terms, and who are continually being driven into crisis.
“Despite many good laws, strategies and policies in Scotland, there remains a gap between the support people should receive and what they actually receive, whether in school, social care, healthcare or employment.
“The importance of the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill in tackling the inequalities faced by autistic people and their families cannot be underestimated. It is a vital opportunity to address systematic injustices and to improve outcomes for autistic people of all ages, and that is why we are calling on all political parties to commit to introducing the Bill in Government.”
Becca, NAS Campaigner, said: “We must be allowed to have equal access and opportunity. We are not a burden on society. We are useful, we are intelligent, we are creative. We are inspiring. We are contributors.
“We must be allowed the chance to belong, the chance to make a difference, to be educated and be educators, to be validated, taken seriously. We must be allowed to live in a fair and just society where we are not discriminated against and where we have the chance to live our lives fully and freely.
“The LDAN bill will give autistic and neurodivergent people a chance to be involved in a fairer society. It will decrease the amount of discrimination and invalidation by making people aware, trained and knowledgeable.
“It will increase independence and choice, helping people to feel they are active in the decisions that affect their own lives whilst also receiving valuable support.”
You can read more about the campaign on the NAS website.
We’re delighted to share a major step forward for The Art Works!
The Scottish Government has committed £56 million in funding over the next three years, enabling us to move ahead with confidence on this ambitious project in North Edinburgh, part of the National Collections Hub.
With around 97% of the national art collection currently in storage, The Art Works will provide a new, free-to-visit home, ensuring more of Scotland’s art can be seen and enjoyed. It will also give greater access to art, not just for people in Edinburgh but by enabling us to lend more art across Scotland.
Not only will you be able to walk among some of greatest Scottish treasures, but you can also pop in for a coffee, use the space for work/study, watch our conservators take care of beautiful, historic art and even more.
This investment will help us make the best use of public funding while continuing to care for and share the national collection for the benefit of current and future generations.
Accidental deaths and life-changing injuries: A global tragedy
1 in 20 deaths worldwide are due to accidents – making them the sixth biggest cause of death globally
People in lower- and middle-income countries are much more likely to die in accidents
RoSPA calls for greater investment in accident prevention to save lives, reduce inequalities and promote economic growth
Accidents are the sixth leading cause of death worldwide, claiming over 3 million lives a year, and people in developing countries are far more likely to be killed in an accident than those in richer nations.
That’s the shocking truth exposed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’ (RoSPA)’s new report Accidental deaths and life-changing injuries: A global tragedy, in partnership with L’Oréal and Xylem.
This groundbreaking study of international accident rates, based on analysis of data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other sources, reveals that:
Accidents are now the sixth biggest cause of death worldwide
3.1 million people lost their lives in accidents in 2021 alone: over 8,000 every single day
1 in 20 deaths worldwide is the result of an accident.
In addition, RoSPA’s research reveals enormous inequalities across the globe:
1.2 million people are killed in road collisions every year
92% of road deaths happen in low- or middle-income countries – even though they have only 60% of the world’s vehicles
315,000 people are killed at work
94% of workplace deaths occur in lower- and middle- income countries
Workplace deaths are highest in Africa and Asia
Workers are almost three times more likely to die of a workplace accident in Asia than in Europe, and nearly four times more likely in Africa
Agriculture has the highest number of deaths of any sector.
Many of these inequalities may be explained by poor infrastructure, weaker regulations and inconsistent enforcement in developing nations. RoSPA has also found that 80% of deaths in working age adults take place outside of work, with road traffic collisions, falls, drownings and fires being particularly deadly.
Together with the tragic human toll, with millions left unable to work or having to financially manage after a loved one has passed away, accidents also put an immense burden on economies, through a combination of lower productivity and the cost of medical care.
In developing countries in particular, accidents can create a vicious cycle of lower growth leading to lower incomes and thus lower investment in accident prevention.
With over 100 years of experience developing evidence-based solutions that have saved millions of lives on roads, in work and at home, RoSPA is campaigning for much greater investment in accident prevention across the world to drive growth, improve productivity, foster social justice and – most importantly – save lives.
Rebecca Hickman, Chief Executive at RoSPA, said: “Every day, thousands of people around the world are killed or seriously injured in preventable accidents. Each death or injury devastates families and communities. At RoSPA, we believe safety is a fundamental human right – one that should not depend on where you live.
“These findings are stark: accidental deaths remain a major public health challenge, with lower- and middle- income countries facing the heaviest burdens.
RoSPA’s vision is an accident-free world. This report provides a foundation for global action by governments, businesses, NGOs, and international institutions to act, because a safer world is not only possible, it is essential.”
Malcolm Staves, Global Vice President of Health and Safety at L’Oréal, said: “Each year, millions of individuals tragically lose their lives, sustain permanent injuries, or develop long-term diseases due to unsafe and unhealthy environments, both within and outside the workplace.
“These perilous conditions often stem from a complex interplay of underlying causes, including governance gaps, deficient legislative frameworks, a pervasive lack of awareness or knowledge, insufficient resources, and a weak culture of prevention, both within workplaces and across society at large.
“Our game-changing partnership with RoSPA, which provides health, safety, and wellbeing information and support to a wider community, epitomizes our values and our commitment to protecting people.”
Autumn Crum, Director of Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) at Xylem, said: “True safety leadership is caring for people and proactively addressing risk wherever it exists.
“With RoSPA’s Global Accident Data Initiative, we’re helping turn data into action to better protect people, families, and communities around the world.”
Legislation to implement the draft 2026-27 Budget with record funding for the NHS, landmark policies to tackle child poverty and enhanced cost of living support has been published.
The Budget Bill allows parliament to scrutinise the Scottish Government’s spending proposals of almost £68 billion before votes next month.
Finance Secretary Shona Robison said she hoped to secure support from across parliament as she urged constructive engagement with the next steps of the process.
Ms Robison said: “Our spending plans provide help for hard-pressed families and businesses alongside investment in public services and infrastructure.
“The Budget expands our game-changing efforts to eradicate child poverty and provides greater opportunities to attain the necessary skills to gain from, and contribute to, our economy.
“Following earlier cross-parliament engagement, priorities of opposition members are included alongside the Scottish Government’s spending plans, including more money to improve neurodevelopmental assessments and care for children and young people.
“It is a budget worth voting for, and we will continue to seek to work constructively to ensure it passes.”
Proposed income tax rates and bands, which will apply from April, are set out in a Scottish Rate Resolution that is subject to a separate vote before the final stage of the Bill.
The 2026-27 Budget includes:
a record £22.5 billion for health and social care, including a record £17.6 billion for NHS boards and resources to begin the national rollout of walk-in GP clinics, making it easier to access same-day appointments
significant extra funding for universities and colleges, with colleges seeing a combined increase of £70 million in resource and capital funding, equivalent to a 10% uplift, targeted support to help retrain workers in the oil and gas sector and ongoing commitment to Scotland’s apprenticeships, which this year will provide more than 31,000 Scots with a pathway to sustainable, well-paid jobs
a cost of living package to: help families with funding to trial a programme of activities in a range of primary schools between 3-6pm; a Summer of Sport – free children’s sporting activities, including lessons on how to swim for every primary school child in the country; and a breakfast club for every primary school by August 2027
funding to increase Scottish Child Payment to £28.20 per week and investment to allow the introduction of a premium payment of £40 per week for eligible children under 12 months from 2027-28, bolstering efforts to drive down child poverty
continued investment in Scotland’s existing cost of living measures, including free prescriptions, free eye examinations, removal of peak rail fares on Scotrail, free tuition fees for young Scots, free school meals for thousands of children, including all pupils in P1 to P5, and free bus travel for under-22s and over-60s
Join us for a relaxed and informal shared Open Book Reading Session where we will read aloud part of a book and poem, then an Open Book Lead Reader will help guide the discussion.
Tuesday 20th January at 6pm
Age 16+
This event is free although you will require a ticket which can be sourced through EventBrite:
Scottish Government pledges to improve system following deaths in custody
Action to reform the Fatal Accident Inquiry system relating to deaths in custody will be taken following an independent review.
The review was commissioned by Justice Secretary Angela Constance, in consultation with the Lord Advocate, to examine how to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of investigations into deaths in custody and ensure those affected are treated in a trauma-informed way.
Retired Sheriff Principal Ian Abercrombie KC, who chaired the review, has now published his report. It contains 34 recommendations aimed at improving the process, timescales and communication of Fatal Accident Inquiries held in response to a death in custody.
Many of the review’s recommendations will require collaboration and legislative change, and the Scottish Government will set up a multi-agency working group to drive forward action, which will include the Scottish Prison Service, Police Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and other key partners.
Ms Constance said: “I am very grateful to Sheriff Principal Abercrombie and the advisory group for this forthright review. Their report’s thorough and wide-ranging recommendations set out the evident need to improve the Fatal Accident Inquiry system.
“The message from families who gave evidence to the review is clear, they feel let down and their experience of the system has added to their grief.
“This needs to change and families who have lost loved ones in custody cannot wait for a lengthy process to conclude before they see improvement.
“Responsibility for acting on the recommendations sits with a range of justice partners, which is why I am setting up a multi-agency group to drive forward reforms.
“The group will consider the review’s recommendations and develop a shared action plan to improve the system of fatal accident inquiries for deaths in custody, with an emphasis on implementing reform as a priority.”
Workers across UK will benefit from billions of pounds of private sector investment in ports and supply chains
Record offshore wind auction crowds in £3.4 billion of private investment to build factories, ports and domestic supply chains across the country, with up to £1.1 billion for Scotland alone, boosting ports like Nigg and Aberdeen and Scottish factories
Every £1 of public money invested through the government’s new Clean Industry Bonus leverages £17 from industry in an unprecedented vote of confidence in UK’s industrial strategy and clean energy mission
Investment means factories, ports and supply chains built in Britain, supporting up to 7,000 jobs in the country’s industrial heartlands and most deprived regions, as part of 400,000 new clean energy jobs by 2030
Workers across Britain will benefit from billions of pounds of private sector investment in ports and supply chains, thanks to the government’s record renewables auction combined for the first time with its Clean Industry Bonus (CIB).
The UK government yesterday (Thursday 15 January) announced that, as a result of the record renewables auction AR7, £204 million of public investment to incentivise domestic jobs and supply chains has leveraged £3.4 billion of private investment, which will flow into British manufacturing, factories and ports.
This means successful offshore wind projects will procure the infrastructure for their projects from right across Britain’s industrial heartlands.
Backed by record government and private sector investment in clean energy such as renewables and nuclear, the clean energy economy is sparking a boom in demand for good industrial jobs in all regions and nations of the UK.
The results mean for every £1 of public money spent, £17 of private money is invested in developing supply chains in some of the most deprived areas of the country. This supports up to 7,000 jobs according to industry estimates, including good, skilled jobs like electricians, welders and engineers. The government expects the offshore wind industry to support 100,000 jobs by 2030, with access to trade unions and fair wages.
The results will bring huge benefits to the industrial base of Scotland in particular, with an up to £1.1 billion supply chain investment boom and up to 2,400 clean energy jobs. This will help revitalise and reindustrialise hardworking towns and cities that have powered Britain for decades. Investment will flow to Scottish ports like Nigg and Aberdeen, and manufacturers of offshore wind equipment in Scotland. Delivering on the government’s energy mission will create up to 40,000 extra jobs in Scotland by 2030.
The record renewables auction announced yesterday secured the biggest single procurement of offshore wind energy in European history – confounding the global challenges facing the industry and securing a major vote of confidence in the UK’s new era of energy sovereignty and abundance.
This auction, known as Contracts for Difference AR7, secured a record capacity of 8.4 GW of offshore wind which will generate enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of over 12 million homes.
The new jobs come on top of the 400,000 new jobs that the government’s Clean Energy Mission is delivering by 2030. Backed by record government and private sector investment in clean energy such as renewables and nuclear, the clean energy economy is sparking a boom in demand for good industrial jobs in all regions and nations of the UK – with 31 priority occupations such as plumbers, electricians, and welders particularly in demand.
This includes jobs sparked by the decision to give Sizewell C the green light, which will support an average of 10,000 jobs per year during construction and the 4,800 jobs already set to be created in the CCUS projects in North West England, North Wales and Teesside.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “We promised to take back control of our energy with clean, homegrown power – and today we’re delivering in a way that brings good industrial jobs for Scotland and the rest of the country.
“Billions in investment will flow into hardworking industrial communities to build clean energy supply chains in Britain. This is how we revitalise our proud industrial heartlands and secure our energy future and bring bills down for the long term.”
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Our clean energy mission is creating thousands of good jobs for working people in their hometown, bringing transformational opportunities for Britain and reversing decades of industrial decline.
“This investment in clean, homegrown power will be felt for decades, powering Scotland’s future and backing the proud industrial base of our country.”
As part of this auction, the government introduced a ’Clean Industry Bonus’ – a financial incentive to support developers who invest in UK supply chains, and in cleaner factories. This was announced by the Prime Minister ahead of COP29, delivering on a manifesto pledge and illustrating the government’s commitment to build it in Britain and create good jobs through the drive for clean, homegrown power.
The bonus is a first-of-a-kind initiative for the country, and delivers an unprecedented investment into Britain’s industrial base.
This is a significant vote in confidence for Britain’s Industrial Strategy, with many of the critical components for clean, homegrown energy – such as foundations, blades, port infrastructure and cables – to be built in Britain.
As Britain races to meet rising energy demand, expected to more than double by 2050, and cut energy bills, the question is not whether to build, but what to build to meet that demand most cheaply. The auction results and new analysis from the government shows offshore wind, alongside solar and onshore wind remain cheaper to build and operate than new gas.
The government’s mission for clean power by 2030 will also help make the UK energy secure again, getting households and businesses off the fossil fuel rollercoaster, controlled by petrostates and dictators, which caused the worst cost of living crisis in memory.
Full route revealed for the opening stage of the 2027 Tour de France in Scotland
Start and finish locations announced for 2027 dual Grand Départs in the UK
‘Yellow Line’ illumination links all 10 host towns and cities across the UK
‘Joy’ social impact programme launched to tackle three core missions
The full route of the opening stage of the 2027 Tour de France has been revealed, confirming how the world’s biggest annual sporting event will begin when the men’s race gets underway in Scotland.
The opening stage will start in Edinburgh on Friday 2 July 2027, before heading south through Midlothian, the Scottish Borders, and Dumfries and Galloway, tackling the day’s sole categorised climb on the Côte de Melrose amidst the Eildon Hills, before crossing the border and finishing in Carlisle, outside the city’s medieval castle.
While Edinburgh was confirmed last year as host of the Grand Départ, last night’s announcement provides the first detailed look at the Scottish route, underlining Scotland’s role in setting the tone for the 2027 Tour de France as it begins three days of racing on British roads.
To mark the moment, Edinburgh Castle was illuminated as part of a coordinated UK-wide “Tour de Skies” celebration, with a yellow beam lighting up the capital’s skyline. The activation linked Scotland with nine other host towns and cities across England and Wales, creating a single national moment of anticipation ahead of the historic Grand Départs.
Alongside the announcement of the full UK route for the men’s event, Leeds was also confirmed as the start location for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. The race will kick off on Friday 30 July 2027 from the Yorkshire city, before crossing the Pennines to Manchester, then returning to Sheffield via the climbs of the Peak District before concluding with a showpiece stage in London.
Following the first stage, the men’s race will head to Keswick, Liverpool and Welshpool, finishing the UK leg of the world’s biggest annual sporting event in Cardiff.
Alongside the host venues, first details of Joy, the social impact programme that will embed community impact at the heart of the 2027 Grand Départ was announced, while British Cycling also confirmed that 7,000 volunteers will be recruited to support the delivery of the world’s biggest free-to-watch sporting event.
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John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland: “An iconic sporting event like the Tour de France starting on Edinburgh’s historic streets will be a truly memorable moment for Scotland. From our capital city, the stage will see the cyclists racing through some of our most beautiful countryside in Midlothian, the Scottish Borders – where they will face a tough test on the climb of the Côte de Melrose – and finally Dumfries and Galloway.
“Places such as Newtongrange, with its rich mining heritage; Galashiels, home to Scotland’s textile industry; and Canonbie, on the River Esk, will put their unique stamps on and become part of the history of this legendary event.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase some of the best of Scotland to millions of cycling fans around the world, whether they are watching from home or joining the many people here who will have the opportunity to see some of the world’s finest athletes competing on the streets of their towns and villages.”
Christian Prudhomme, Director, Tour de France (ASO):“The UK has always welcomed the Tour with passion and pride, and the route details we are revealing today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britain’s terrain.
“Bringing both Grand Départs here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK.”
Marion Rousse, Director, Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift: “The United Kingdom has played an important role in the history of women’s cycling, with champions such as Lizzie Armitstead-Deignan.
“Starting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour. These stages clearly reflect the race’s ambition: to continue growing women’s cycling and to inspire future generations.”
Lizzie Deignan, British road and track racing world champion:“Racing the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift has been one of the highlights of my career, and seeing the women’s edition go from strength to strength has been genuinely inspiring.
“To know that both the men’s and women’s races will start here in 2027, and especially that the women will come to my home roads of Yorkshire, is truly special. This is a huge moment for the sport and an opportunity that will inspire countless women and girls to get on their bikes.”
Scottish Cycling’s Head of Performance and Coaching, David Somerville:“Since the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ was announced last year, the Scottish Cycling community has been waiting with bated breath to see where the route would go after departing from Edinburgh, so today is a huge milestone.
“2025 saw two Scottish riders take to the start for the first time, and there is a strong chance we could build on that in 2027.
“What’s even more special is that for the likes of Oscar Onley and Sean Flynn, the route will head on roads they’ve used in training many times as young riders dreaming of racing in the biggest bike race in the world.”
City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said:“I have no doubt that the Tour de France Grand Depart will cement our reputation on the global stage.
“Edinburgh is well used to hosting major festivals and events, and this is an excellent opportunity to showcase the city. To have the world’s largest annual sporting event setting off from the Capital will be a moment of great pride for our residents and will bring our city to new audiences all over the world.
“From boosting our local economy, through to promoting an active lifestyle, greater general participation in cycling, and increased use of active travel infrastructure – I’m confident that the wider legacy of the Tour de France will be a positive one for Edinburgh.”
Midlothian Council Leader Kelly Parry: “We’re thrilled to welcome world-class cycling to Midlothian. Being part of the Tour de France Grand Départ is an incredible opportunity to showcase our stunning landscapes to a global audience and inspire generations to embrace the sport.
“We’ll be proud to say a big ‘bonjour’ to the Tour and, working closely with our communities, ensure this moment leaves a lasting economic, social, and cultural legacy for Midlothian.”
Councillor Euan Jardine, Leader of Scottish Borders Council: ““It is an incredible honour for the Scottish Borders to host the majority of Stage 1 of the 2027 Tour de France as it makes its way through our beautiful countryside and towns from Edinburgh to Carlisle.
“We are passionate about cycling in the Scottish Borders and committed to getting more people on bikes for commuting, pleasure and sport. The Tour de France will provide a huge boost in that respect, and it will also deliver other really valuable social and economic impacts to the area.
“Stage 1 will showcase the South of Scotland as Scotland’s leading cycle destination to an enormous audience around the world and those that come to watch the race in-person, and we can’t wait to welcome them all.”
Dumfries and Galloway Council Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee Chair, Cllr Tracey Little:“Dumfries and Galloway Council is thrilled to be playing a part in the 2027 Tour de France. It is widely regarded as cycling’s premier event and is viewed by millions of people for each kilometre of the race.
“We have a proud history with cycling in our region and this latest chapter of hosting world-class cycling will only add to this.
“Dumfries and Galloway also has strong links with Kirkpatrick MacMillan, who of course built the first ever bicycle as we know it. Our council is looking forward to being part of the action and the social and community benefits that it brings.”
Stephanie Peacock, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth: “These routes will reach places few other events can and give people another reason to be proud of where they live. All over the country, they’ll see world-class cyclists pass through their towns, down their high streets and maybe even right past their front doors.
“Events like the Tour de France bring communities together, boost local economies and inspire more people to discover the benefits of sport. We cannot wait to welcome these iconic races next year.”
Simon Morton, Director of Events, UK Sport: “Today marks a significant milestone in the delivery of what we expect to be the biggest free-to-attend event ever to be held on these shores.
“Our vision was to host a massive sporting event that would genuinely thread together the countries, cities, and communities of Great Britain, and show what we can achieve when we work together.
“The route details announced today do just that, enabling us to reach, unite, and inspire people right across the country – providing moments of joy for millions, bringing communities together, and delivering lasting benefits beyond race day.
“We believe that live sport is a fundamental part of our society, and that the British public should be able to access and attend big events. By hosting the initial stages of both the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, we’re bringing one of the world’s greatest sporting events directly to people’s doorsteps.
“We at UK Sport are delighted to be playing our part and are proud to support the partners working together to make the 2027 Grand Départs a success.”
Jon Dutton, Chief Executive, British Cycling:“The Grand Départs in 2027 are about so much more than six unforgettable stages of racing – it’s about unlocking lasting change for communities right across Britain.
“Through Joy – our collective, game-changing social impact programme – we will put opportunity, wellbeing and community pride right at the heart of this moment in sporting history.
“By working with partners and creating new, varied ways for people to connect with cycling – whether by riding, volunteering, supporting locally, or engaging through culture and community activity – we can break down barriers and open the sport up in ways that meet people where they are.
“This is a once‑in‑a‑generation chance to build a healthier, more active and more connected nation. It shows the power of major events when they’re done right, and British Cycling is proud to help deliver a legacy that will be felt long after the peloton has left UK shores.”
Paul Bush, Managing Director, Grand Départ GB 2027:“Revealing these new route details of the opening stages is a huge moment for everyone involved and my thanks to all our partners.
“The UK has hosted unforgettable Grand Départs before, but 2027 will be bigger than anything we’ve seen – with both the men’s and women’s pelotons starting here together for the historic very first time.
“This will be a “moment for the Nation” and is a once in a generation opportunity to inspire more people to experience the joy and freedom of cycling.”
Social impact
Alongside the route announcement, organisers also revealed Joy, the social impact programme at the heart of the 2027 Grand Départ, that aims to tackle inactivity and improve mental wellbeing, support communities to thrive, and to make Britain more productive and prosperous.
Six core programmes will be rolled out across the home nations, with organisers working collaboratively with governments, local councils, core delivery partners and community representatives to create opportunities for young people to develop their skills, break down barriers for girls in sport, and to showcase community culture through the voices of Britain.
Additionally, British Cycling will look to recruit more than 7,000 volunteers for the Grand Départ, inviting people across the UK to play a hands-on role in delivering the world’s biggest free-to-watch sporting event. Thousands of opportunities will be available across route operations, spectator support and community engagement, offering people of all ages the chance to be part of Tour history, with more details to be announced when the programme is launched in the spring.
To find out more information and keep up-to-date with the 2027 Grand Départs, please visit letourgb.com
