Bank of Bermuda bosses yesterday said their massive investment in the Bermuda invasion of Scotland had paid off - with huge interest.

The bank forked out what is thought to be in excess of $200,000 to help bring the Bermuda Regiment band and an all-star Gombey troupe to Scotland for a starring role in the prestigious Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

And the Regiment and Gombeys repaid the favour with a special "command performance" at the ancient Stirling Castle - the home town of an information technology centre for the bank - for bank staff and hundreds of tourists.

Patrick Phillips, Director of Applications at the bank's Bermuda Systems (UK) subsidiary, which gives worldwide support to the banking empire, led nearly 100 of his 170 staff to the castle for the one-off performance.

Mr. Phillips said afterwards that he and his staff were in no doubt the bank and the country had got a gold standard return on the investment.

Mr. Phillips added: "I thought it was spectacular - I've seen the Gombeys before, but to see them and the Regiment band together was superb."

The ex-drummer in a Cornwall silver band added: "Professionally, I'd rate the Regiment band very highly. They are consistently good."

Mr. Phillips said the sponsorship of the Edinburgh trip was just part of the bank's commitment to reinvesting in the Island.

He added: "The bank has always been a great sponsor of heritage events and cultural events in Bermuda. It's great that we have been able to help and also to appreciate the work of the band and the Gombeys in what is now part of our home territory."

And he said: "We've definitely got our money's worth - and it also helps people to further their experience, education and training, which will ultimately benefit the bank as well. We are very keen on investing in the community and this, of course, has also been very good publicity for us. The Regiment band and the Gombeys have been great ambassadors for Bermuda."

Regiment officer Lt. Wayne Caines said the performance was a tribute to the Bank of Bermuda in Scotland.

He added: "Without the Bank of Bermuda, this whole trip wouldn't have been possible. The Regiment have worked together to benefit the entire community in Bermuda because we are both committed to Bermuda. We're very grateful to the bank and all our other sponsors."

The Regiment and the Gombeys performed in the heart of Stirling Castle - a lynchpin in Scottish history which overlooks the historic battle sites of Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn.

Scots hero William Wallace - immortalised in the Oscar-winning film `Braveheart' - defeated a massive English army at Stirling Bridge in the 13th Century, while Robert the Bruce won the country centuries of freedom at Bannockburn in the early 14th Century.

The Bank of Bermuda staff joined hundreds of tourists as the band, led by bandmaster Warrant Officer 1 Dwight Robinson, who has just graduated from England's Kneller Hall, home of the world-renowned Royal Military School of Music, won new friends for Bermuda.

WO I Robinson - who was making his first public appearances since graduation - insisted: "I wasn't nervous at all. I've done some conducting at college level in the US, so being in front of a crowd isn't frightening.

"Stirling Castle is a fantastic place - rolling hills and the castle perched on top of a rock. It's a tremendous setting for a performance like ours."

WO I Robinson took charge for half of the performance, while veteran Director of Music Maj. Barrett Dill wielded the baton for the rest.

And Sgt. Aidan Stones - who plays brass in the Regiment bands, but also plays the bagpipes, paid tribute to Bermuda's hosts with a special performance on the nation's national instrument.

WO 1 Robinson added that it was good to perform in a smaller arena than the massive esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.

He said: "It's great to get close to the audience and interact with them - it creates a nice environment and musicians like a lot of feedback, whether it's in front of a small group at Pembroke Rest Home or in front of nearly 9,000 people at Edinburgh Castle.