SCOTLAND'S two giant pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang are being treated to honey, carrots and apples to celebrate their millionth visitor who is due at the end of what has been a difficult year for the animals.

First there was a colic health scare, then a tense mating push. A surgical intervention and a false pregnancy alert followed for the Edinburgh Zoo pandas.

Keepers said they are to receive the tasty early Christmas present today just after the second anniversary of their arrival in Scotland from China.

Chris West, chief executive officer for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which owns the zoo, said the millionth person to visit the creatures is due in the next few days.

He said: "Interest in our giant pandas has not waned. In fact, I don't think I would be going too far by saying giant pandas have now become synonymous with Scotland."

The society believes the pandas are "a flagship species that highlights other conservation work and invaluable educational ambassadors".