On 18 June 1815 the Battle of Waterloo was fought in Belgium.

Many Scottish regiments took part in the battle, which ended Napoleon's "hundred days". Perhaps the most prominent action involving the Scottish contingent was the combined charge of the Gordon Highlanders and the Scots Greys. A French column with over 4,000 men advanced on the Highlanders, while the Gordons, with only about 300 men, were under strict orders not to give way. As the situation reached its most critical moment, suddenly the Scots Greys appeared on the top of the hills. Both Gordons and Scots Greys in common charged the French column, shouting, Scotland Forever, with the Gordons hanging on to the stirrups of the cavalry horses.