the birlinn (spelt "bìrlinn" in scottish gaelic) was a wooden vessel propelled by sail and oar, used extensively in the hebrides and west highlands of scotland from the middle ages on. variants of the name in english and lowland scots include "berlin" and "birling". the gallo-norse term may derive from the norse "byrðingr" (ship of boards). it has been suggested that a local design lineage might also be traceable to vessels similar to the broighter-type boat (first century bc), equipped with oars and a square sail, without the need to assume a specific viking design influence. it is uncertain, however, whether the broighter model represents a wooden vessel or a skin-covered boat of the currach type. the majority of scholars emphasise the viking influence on the birlinn.