Scotland to host Grand Depart of Tour of Britain cycle race

Scotland will host the Grand Depart opening event of the 2013 Tour of Britain professional cycle race. The tenth annual Tour of Britain will begin in Peebles on 15 September, finishing in London a week later. The route, which officials describe as the 'hardest route ever' will pass through varied and challenging terrain including the Lake District, Wales and Dartmoor.

Stage 1 of the Tour of Britain 2013

The first stage of the tour runs from Peebles to Drumlanraig Castle (pictured) on a 124-mile route which covers:

• Peebles
• Innerleithen
• Selkirk
• Hawick
• Newcastleton
• Canonbie
• Gretna
• Annan
• Dumfries
• Thornhill
• Drumlanrig Castle

Finlay Carson, Dumfries and Galloway Council's events champion, said: 'The dramatic pink sandstone backdrop of Drumlanrig Castle will be a unique and beautiful location for visitors to day one of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

'The Tour is one of our region's most outstanding live sports events and has built up a huge following since the Tour first visited in 2005.'

Drumlanrig Castle

Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries & Galloway is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry. The site is an ancient stronghold of the Douglases, and the castle is set within 90,000 acres of parkland. The pink sandstone castle was commissioned in 1691 by William Douglas, the first Duke of Queensberry and built on the site of an ancient Douglas stronghold.

Robert Mylne, the king's Master Mason and his son-in-law,  James Smith, are the most likely architects while the builder was William Lukup, Master of Works at Drumlanrig.

For more on Drumlanrig Castle and Country estate, visit the castle's website.

(Image copyright G Laird)

Keep up to date with the latest history news, discoveries and research in every issue of History Scotland and Scottish Memories magazines, available in print and digital versions.

Sign up now for our FREE e-newsletter for more news stories, sneak previews, exclusive content and special offers.