Tour of Britain 2021: iconic cycle race to return to Edinburgh and the Lothians

The rescheduled Tour of Britain will once again cross East Lothian and Edinburgh in early September to the delight of local cycling fans.

The prestigious race will take place from Sunday September 5 through Sunday September 12, with cyclists passing through East Lothian on the 11th for step seven, starting in Hawick and ending in Edinburgh.

It enters East Lothian from the Lammermuirs before passing through Gifford and Pencaitland then ends in the Capital.

The race begins in Penzance on day one, and participants will cover over 807 miles along the route that ends in Aberdeen.

This is the first time that the race will end in Scotland since 2008.

East Lothian Marshal John McMillan said: “The return of the Tour of Britain to East Lothian is fantastic news. As well as being one of Scotland’s top tourist destinations, East Lothian has some fantastic places to see and explore by bike.

“I hope the exposure the county gets through the coverage of the race will help highlight some of the wonderful landscapes and landscapes that we are so fortunate to be blessed with.

“It is also a great opportunity for cycling fans to see some of the best cyclists in the world in action.”

During the race, up to 1.5 million roadside spectators are expected and the stages will also be broadcast live on television.

If you haven’t already, consider supporting our trusted and verified journalism by purchasing a digital subscription.