Tour de France will start at Holyrood Palace next July as Scotland hosts the race for the first time

The peloton will climb the Royal Mile, sweep along Princes Street and drop into the Grassmarket on 2 July before heading south to Carlisle. The 184km opening stage will cut through Gorebridge, Galashiels, Melrose, Hawick and Newcastleton. Grand Départ UK boss Paul Bush has warned that major roads will close. Organisers say the race will generate 'tens of millions' for Scotland's economy.

Green councillor Lorenzo Martinico wants Edinburgh to declare a 'car-free day' for the race.

The race will then run Keswick to Liverpool and Welshpool to Cardiff on the following days.

Organisers bill it as the largest free sporting event in British history.