Northshield Rings
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox ancient site
|name = Northshield Rings
|native_name =
|alternate_name =
|image = File:Ramparts at Northshield Rings (geograph 4891942).jpg
|image_size = 240px
|alt =
|caption = Ramparts of the fort
|map_type = Scotland Scottish Borders
|map_alt =
|map_size = 200px
|altitude_m =
|location = Near Eddleston, Scotland
|region =
|coordinates = {{coord|55|43|54|N|3|11|4|W|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:GB}}
|gbgridref = NT 257 493
|type = Hillfort
|designation1 = Scheduled Monument
|designation1_number = SM731
|part_of =
|length =
|width =
|area = {{convert|0.35|ha}}
|epochs = Iron Age
}}
Northshield Rings is a prehistoric site, a hillfort near the village of Eddleston and about {{convert|6|mi|0}} north of Peebles, in the Scottish Borders, Scotland. It is a Scheduled Monument.{{Historic Environment Scotland|desc=Northshield Rings, fort, The Camps|num=SM731|access-date=30 May 2020}}
Description
The fort, on a rounded hill a short distance south of Portmore Loch, has well-preserved defences. There is an inner rampart, {{convert|73|m}} north-north-west to south-south-east by {{convert|64|m}}, enclosing an area of {{convert|0.35|ha}}. There are two ramparts outside this. There are three entrances, in the north-west, south and south-east. Within the inner enclosure, seven slight depressions have been found, of diameter {{convert|6|–|9|m}}, thought to be the sites of timber round-houses.
{{Canmore |num=51390 |desc=Northshield Rings |access-date= 28 May 2020}}
The inner rampart rises up to {{convert|0.5|m}} above the interior, and {{convert|1.5|m}} above an external ditch. The outer ramparts are more substantial, with external quarry-ditches, providing a defence up to {{convert|20|m}} deep. It is thought that there were at least two phases of construction; it has been supposed, since the space between the inner rampart and the outer defences is up to {{convert|8|m}} wide, which would not be there if defences had been strengthened working outwards, that the outer ramparts were built earlier.
References
{{Commons category}}
{{Reflist}}
Category:Hill forts in Scotland