Pandemonium has broken out at Kelburn Castle and Country estate with the news that their panda is expecting a baby.

This eggstraordinary Easter story comes fast on the heels of the Edinburgh Zoo’s latest attempts to breed a baby panda.

Lord Glasgow, Patrick Boyle and his son David, The Viscount of Kelburn, are both delighted and look forward to welcoming the Kelburn Panda baby in June.

David Boyle said: “We are already receiving calls and emails from all over the world; it really is exciting to have the first pregnant panda in the UK!” Plans are already being put together to prepare for the summer birth and Kelburn Estate continues to grow its specialist bamboo to keep even the most difficult food cravings in check.

The Kelburn Panda is played by a local Largs lady, who is expecting her first baby on 27 June. And, having taken the costume character oath of conduct, she cannot reveal her true identity except to say she has regularly played the role of the Kelburn Panda since 2011.

The mystery panda impersonator said: “I have been bamboozled with the amount of interest my pregnancy has generated, and it’s great to be the UK’s first pregnant panda!” This is not the first time Kelburn Castle has become the subject of remarkable news stories. Back in 2007, Kelburn Castle made international headlines when it revealed the Graffiti Project, a stunning piece of street art covering the ancient walls of the 13th Century Scottish Castle. The Graffiti project is now ranked amongst the world’s top 10 pieces if street art, putting it in the same level of importance as Banksy’s New York masterpieces.