The battle that ensued went differently on the two wings. The three Macdonald regiments on the far right held their fire and routed the charging dragoons when they were almost on top of them. The precipitous retreat of the dragoons exposed the Glasgow militia who were also routed. The left wing of the first line joined with the centre brigade to attack Hawley's left and centre and put them to flight. Hawley's unopposed right formed a hollow square and started to pour a damaging fire on the Highlander's left flank. Such was the confusion that the whole left wing started to move back up the hill and caused some of the Lowland regiments to panic and flee back to Stirling with a story of defeat. But Lord George and his Athole brigade had moved down the hill from their position on the far right and saw that the left wing was only re-establishing their higher position. It was the Hanoverians who were fleeing.

      Darkness had fallen during the battle and the Jacobite army remained on the field but made no effort to pursue and annihilate the enemy fleeing toward Edinburgh. The next day the Prince resumed the siege of Stirling Castle and the Highland division settled down to guard the approaches to area from the south. The Highlander's losses were light; the only known casualty suffered by the Macphersons was William the Purser, the direct ancestor of our present chief, Sir William.