Bermuda's Gombeys yesterday danced into the heart of Scotland with an impromptu display on Edinburgh Castle's famous battlements.

A crowd of around 200 applauded wildly as Gombeys Andre Place and Shaun Caisey joined impeccably-uniformed members of the Bermuda Regiment band to stage an off-the-cuff dance routine.

The stunning display followed a Bermuda-style Press conference to launch the programme for the world-famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

The Tattoo doesn't officially start until next week - but Regiment officer Wayne Caines stepped in to get the crowd clapping along as Andre and Shaun showed off their skills.

Afterwards, Tattoo producer, Brigadier-General Mel Jameson said the launch event - which starred the Bermuda contingent - had exceeded his wildest expectations.

Brigadier Jameson said: "We put them up there because we thought they would attract a huge amount of interest - and they certainly did that.

"My aim was to present Bermuda in the best light possible to our audiences over here - and what I saw in Bermuda to represent the best was the Bermuda Regiment band, which is very colourful and professional in itself.

"When I saw the Gombey dancers some people wondered why I said immediately 'I want them'. They represent a very large part of modern-day Bermuda culture and they're also supremely colourful. Taken together with the Regiment, they'll represent Bermuda very well."

Earlier, the dancers proved a hit with the massed ranks of the Scottish media as they performed at the launch press conference - and Tattoo marketing manager Alan Smith said that the huge media turnout was due in part to fascination with the Gombeys. Brigadier Jameson added: "They were a major hit and a major story - they were exuding something which is quite unusual in this part of the world with these fantastic costumes and tremendous character.

"Everybody was gobsmacked by seeing these guys in these extraordinary costumes dancing around Edinburgh Castle. We're very proud to have the Regiment band and the Gombey troupe with us.

"We hope that, by the fact of them performing, they will cause a lot of interest in Bermuda and in the Tattoo as well."

Despite the star billing, both Andre and Shaun, took the massive public interest in their stride. Shaun said: "The reception has been very promising and bodes well for our performances - and having this exposure is great for the country.

"It will enlighten people about the culture and history of Bermuda as well as the history of the Regiment." He added: "I'm very positive about its effects on tourism and I'm sure it will have a great impact on tourism in Bermuda."

Lt Caines said: "We're just pleased and excited to be here in Edinburgh and we're delighted that so many people have already joined us to share in our culture at this very special event."

The Regiment and Gombeys will be sharing the legendary Castle esplanade with top military and cultural acts from around the world. These include the British Army's oldest infantry regiment, The Royal Scots, celebrating 500 years of history, and the US Army Drill Team.

Also included in this year's programme are the pipes and drums of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, who hail from Nepal, but serve in the UK armed forces, the Royal Army of Oman military band and folklore dancers, the band of the Army of the Republic of Korea plus pipes and drums from Switzerland, New Zealand and Australia.

But the visitors to Edinburgh Castle made it clear that the Regiment and Gombeys, backed by steel drum player Robert Symons, had stolen the show even before the opening night.

New York accountant Dominic DiMascio said: "We just came to see the castle - it's great to have these Bermuda guys thrown in as well. These costumes are just amazing and the soldiers look totally cool.

And he added: "We'll certainly be looking at Bermuda for a holiday in the near future - who wouldn't after seeing this?"

English tourist Simon Nutt, from Leicestershire, was also stunned by the Bermuda castle cavalcade.

He said: "They're really amazing - I've never seen anything like these costumes before. It's definitely the sort of thing which would encourage people to visit Bermuda. These dancers are very athletic and very enjoyable."

Bill Bellany, from England's East Anglia, watched the free showcase for Bermuda with little daughter Iona, aged three.

He said: "We were just having coffee in the restaurant and Iona spotted the Gombeys - she really liked the colours and the music."

Mr. Bellany added: "It's a great surprise - we've been to the Bahamas and we love the Caribbean - but this would definitely encourage us to visit Bermuda. Anything colourful like this with music, we love it."

The Tattoo runs alongside the Edinburgh Festival, the world's biggest arts event.

The Regiment band and the Gombeys have also been invited to stage performances at the Edinburgh International Jazz Festival and will travel to Scotland's biggest city, Glasgow, for a 'mini-Tattoo' in the showpiece George Square.