The orbital current and spin contributions to isovector $M1$ excitations in light nuclei are studied microscopically by combining information from inelastic electron scattering at small momentum transfers with that obtained from recent measurements of ($p$,$n$) cross sections at forward angles. The ($p$,$n$) reaction is studied within the distorted-wave approximation using a $G$-matrix interaction and shell model wave functions and the ($e$,${e}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) scattering is calculated in a plane wave approximation.NUCLEAR REACTIONS Charge exchange scattering, ${E}_{p}=62$ MeV, cross sections; inelastic electron scattering; targets $^{12}\mathrm{C}$, $^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$, $^{28}\mathrm{Si}$.