Pandas awarded for tourism services in Scotland

Two popular pandas have been honoured for their services to Scottish tourism as the main attraction at Edinburgh Zoo.

Pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang received a special award from Scotland's official tourist board this week, Metro.co.uk reported.

According to the Scotsman, more than 500,000 visitors have seen the bamboo-loving duo since they arrived in the country's capital from China in December 2011.

VisitScotland chair Mike Cantlay created the one-off award 'to celebrate the achievements of the pandas'.

He added: 'Since Tian Tian and Yang Guang’s arrival last year, they have put one of Scotland’s best-known visitor attractions on the world map and shown excellence in tourism.

'[This] is what the Scottish Thistle Awards are all about - so it’s only right that we came here to honour their achievements.'

Zoo executive Chris West said it was an honour to receive the award.

“It’s a great privilege that our giant pandas, Tian Tian and Yang Guang, have been chosen as the recipients of an honorary thistle award,” he said.

“It’s a real accolade and we’re delighted to accept the award on behalf of Tian Tian and Yang Guang. It’s made even more special by the fact that it’s made from bamboo – what more could our pandas ask for?”