Angus and Dundee to feature in Tour de France-inspired 360-mile cycle event

Ride the North organisers have revealed plans for a 2027 Tour de France-inspired special edition across 360 miles of stunning Scottish scenery.

As a field of around 2,000 participants enjoyed the roads of Angus for the latest event at the weekend, plans were announced to harness the excitement of the world’s greatest cycling spectacle next year.

Edinburgh is to host the Grand Depart of Le Tour de France in 2027.

In previous years it has begun from countries including Spain, Italy, Belgium, Ireland and England.

The announcement of Edinburgh as the start point for the first stage on July 2 next year spurred Ride the North to embrace the undoubted buzz it will bring.

Ride the North has established itself over 15 years in the Highlands, Moray, Aberdeenshire and, since 2024, Angus.

Director Neil Innes has devised a multi-day Grand Tour on many of the roads Ride the North has used since it began in 2011.

It will conclude just in time for participants to witness the Tour roll out of Edinburgh.

Neil admitted embracing the Tour de France does have a touch of irony.

“The very last cycling event Ride the North would ever compare itself to is the Tour de France,” he said.

“Our event was created for cyclists of all abilities – with an emphasis on consuming coffee and cake and enjoying the scenery and camaraderie and not the time ticking on the clock.

“Nevertheless, lots of regular cyclists are magnetically drawn to the Tour as the icon of cycling and by the astounding performances of the elite riders”

Ride the North’s Grand Tour of 2027 will include Aberdeenshire’s Castle Country, Speyside’s Malt Whisky Trail, Loch Ness, the Cairngorms National Park, Highland Perthshire and the Angus Glens.

“Our event moved around for many years so that has left a legacy of event routes over some of Scotland’s most beautiful roads – many that aren’t as well-known as they might be.

“I think the route will truly show off Scotland’s strength as cycling destination”.

“Ride the North has made a name for itself as a tour of minor roads through smaller village.

“The same ethos is at the heart of this plan, bookended by the cities of Dundee at the south tip of the 360-mile loop and Inverness at the north.

Neil said “Cycling as a leisure activity does benefit from staying away from traffic.

“There are some remarkably empty roads on this route, but also a pivotal link with the National Cycle Network through the heart of the Cairngorms.

“Our objective was to embrace the special occasion that next summer presents.

“It remains to be seen if that will strike a chord with the public.”

He hopes to see the same community engagement the annual event has built up in its time.

“This is a route shaped around some of Scotland’s tourism icons – mountains, lochs, glens, castles, distilleries and local communities that love to welcome visitors,” Neil added.

“If others see some potential in that, I’d be excited to be part of any effort to look at the opportunities.

The Ride the North Grand Tour will take place in late June 2027 on dates to be announced.

This article appeared in the Courier on 1 September 2026