Birsley, a place in Tranent parish, Haddingtonshire, ¾ mile SW of Tranent town, and 1½ mile S of Prestonpans battle-field. An extensive colliery is at it, and a rising ground here, Birsley Brae, was the spot whence Prince Charles Edward's troops marched into the conflict of Prestonpans.

(F.H. Groome, Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882-4); © 2004 Gazetteer for Scotland)