EDINBURGH - A pair of pampered giant pandas departing from China's Sichuan Province landed in Britain on Sunday afternoon.

Tian Tian, or "Sweetie," and her companion Yang Guang, or "Sunshine," arrived at Edinburgh airport on GMT 13:10.

From there the two pandas made their way to their new home, at Edinburgh Zoo, where they received a Scottish style VIP welcome.

The eight-year-old pair is Britain's first pair of breeding pandas in 17 years.

According to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), two Chinese researchers were also on board to escort Yang Guang and Tian Tian, and the researchers will keep looking after the pandas in the UK until the animals get adapted to their new environment.

China announced in January that it would loan two pandas to Britain as part of a 10-year agreement on panda conservation signed by the two countries.

To ensure a home-like stay for the pandas, Edinburgh Zoo has sent experienced staff to the CCRCGP to learn the skill of raising pandas and also built separate pavilions for the widely-adored animals, according to CCRCGP.

Both Yang Guang and Tian Tian were born in 2003 and have been living in Sichuan province ever since, according to CCRCGP.