Once characterised as a largely Gaelic-speaking force recruited from the Scottish Highlands using traditional weapons and tactics, modern historians have demonstrated this was only partially accurate. The army also included a large number of north-eastern and lowland Scots, along with substantial Franco-Irish and English contingents, who were drilled and organised in line with contemporary European military practices.
Although it involved more men than any other battle of the 1745 Jacobite uprising with some 8000 or so men on each side and probably a large number of spectators, it was short-lived and the main fighting only lasted about half an hour. Taking part in the battle were the Jacobites led by Bonnie Prince Charlie with Lord George Murray in command of their right and the Government or Hanoverian army led by General Henry Hawley. Just under half of the Jacobite Army were from the Highlands and Islands. This segment were clan-based and fought due to feudal obligation to their lords/clan heads.This obligation was based on providing manpower for raiding, not pitched battles with thousands of foes. The rest of the Jacobean Army was doninated by lowland soldiers from Perthshire (where most of the Jacobean command team came from), and the North East ports such as Montrose, Stonehaven, Peterhead.
For the Highlanders, this type of warfare was not natural. Several commanders of the Jacobean Army were experienced military leaders from continental wars, and expected the Highlanders to do military drills and inspections, as well as to follow written orders. George Murray, the leading general at Falkirk Muir, was knowledgeable of highland fighting techniques and deemed this unrealistic. He knew that discipline was difficult amongst his highland infantry, and although the famous 'highland charge' was effective, units were organised by clan and largely controlled by clan leaders , who set their own objectives in battle. The popular image of tall strapping highland warriors advancing on the Hanoverian Army, is not accurate, the average height of the Jacobean soldiers was 5ft 4. However the highlanders had the role of being front and centre of the battle.
