Cushendun means 'Foot of the Dun', this sheltered anchorage at the mouth of the River Dun has been a landing place and ferry point between Scotland and Ireland since man first settled on the north coast some 9,000 years ago. The village is very unique in having some exceptional architecture including work designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, the architect who designed and built Portmeirion at Gwynedd, North Wales between 1925 and 1975 in the style of an Italian village. Cushendun is one of the points to access the Torr Scenic Route a spectacular drive which is not suitable for larger vehicles such as mini-coaches and RV's.