Torr Head Antrim
Torr Head is a dramatic headland on the Antrim coast at the point where the North Channel between Ireland and Scotland narrows to approximately twenty kilometres, the closest point between Ireland and Scotland from which the Scottish mainland, the Mull of Kintyre and even individual buildings of Campbeltown are visible on clear days. The combination of the dramatic headland scenery, the narrow sea crossing and the remote character of this section of the Antrim coast gives Torr Head a distinctive quality. The Torr Head road from Cushendun to Ballycastle is one of the most spectacularly scenic coastal roads in Ireland, a narrow route climbing and descending the series of headlands above the North Channel with continuous views of the sea and the Scottish coast beyond. The road's combination of narrow width, dramatic gradients and extraordinary views makes it a memorable driving experience on a section of coast that rewards those who venture beyond the main tourist routes. The landscape around Torr Head is part of the Antrim Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the combination of the coastal headlands, the glens descending to the sea and the agricultural character of the North Antrim uplands creates a coastal landscape of considerable diversity. The view from Torr Head on a clear day of the Scottish coast is one of the most immediate reminders available of the proximity and common cultural heritage of Ulster and the Scottish Highlands.