MUSICIANS from Gourock enjoyed 'ae fond' trip to Pakistan to celebrate Robert Burns.

Sisters Alison and Fiona McNeill, from hit ceilidh band Reely Jiggered, were invited to perform at a Burns night event in the country's capital, Islamabad, on Saturday by the British High Commissioner.

It was the third consecutive year the red carpet was rolled out for the Inverclyde folk rockers, including their drummer cousin Scott McLean, to help commemorate the Bard.

They were also given the VIP treatment by British Airways with the airline flying the girls back home in style and the pilot inviting them into the cockpit for a look around.

To mark the occasion, a special Reely Jiggered version of Burns classic, 'Ae Fond Kiss', was released and went down a storm with their new-found fans in Islamabad.

Alison told the Tele: "We have made some great friends in Pakistan over the last few years and it's always great to get out and about and see the country and its people.

"Our friend and driver Khurram, pictured, taught us some Pakistani music which went down really well with the crowd. "When we were out there, we released 'Ae Fond Kiss' for Burns day and it is now available from all download platforms.

"We were also broadcast on Westsound FM on Burns night as we performed at the 35th Westsound FM Burns Supper, which was previously recorded as the biggest in the world, in Glasgow the previous weekend alongside speakers such as Cat Harvey.

"Our flights were sponsored by BA for their new direct flight from London to Pakistan and they upgraded us to business class for the flight home. "We met the pilot during our stay in Pakistan and he showed us round the cockpit too.

"It was another memorable trip."

This year's Burns supper in Islamabad was organised by Brigadier Ben Edwards, on behalf of the high commissioner.

Accompanying Reely Jiggered was piper Gary McKay.

As well as performing at the gala event in honour of the Bard, the local musicians have visited others parts of the country and performed in schools, colleges since their first visit in 2018.

Last year, the trio also stopped off at an instrument factory, which is the second largest producer of bagpipes outside of Scotland.