March 15 is revered by exiled Hungarians around the globe and considered their National Day.

It was on that date in 1849 that Lajos Kossuth was appointed regent-president of the country after having led a successful Magyar revolution against the rule of the Hapsburgs.

The coup was short-lived and Kossuth was forced into exile, travelling the world to raise the profile of his people's cause.

He later embarked on a tour of Britain, raising funds for the resistance movement and highlighting what he considered the imperial oppression exerted on the Magyar majority.

On December 12, 1856, he arrived by train in Selkirk and was led, in a flambeau-lit procession, to the County Hotel where, from the balcony, he addressed a vast gathering.

The occasion was marked a decade ago when Steven Brandon, a former Hungarian soldier who came to Lindean after the war, unveiled a plaque outside the Selkirk hostelry. That event coincided with a celebration lunch.

On Saturday, Mr Brandon, a sprightly octogenarian who lives in Earlston, hosted a 10th anniversary bash at which many old frienships were renewed. Guests included Edith Scott, chairperson of Selkirk Chamber of Trade, and her husband Peter.

A video was shown of the inaugural dinner, at which the late Stewart Roberts, great grandson of the provost who greeted Kossuth, was guest of honour.

"Hungarians have always been grateful for the support our patriot Kossuth received on his visit to the Borders," said Mr Brandon.