MV Cowal crew accommodation was below the bridge and at the stern. She was fitted with electric hoists and side-ramps to allow the loading of vehicles from conventional piers and at any state of tide. The 14-ton cargo lift had space for five average cars, which were turned on two 14-foot turntables on the lift and a further one at the front of the "garage". An aft cargo hold had two 7-ton derricks for cargo handling. These were removed in 1958 and the hold plated over, to provide additional car deck area. MV "Cowal" entered service on the Gourock to Dunoon crossing
Blythe Duff at Edinburgh Castle on 6 March 2003. In November 2005 she helped launch ScotsCare, a charity aimed at helping Scottish people living in London who have money or health problems. She was asked to be an Ambassador of The Prince's Trust, having benefited from the charity in the '80s. In May 2007, she presented an evening in Holyrood Palace in the presence of HRH Prince Charles, The Duke of Rothesay, to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the trust. Blythe was Chieftain of Bute Highland Games in 2009 and Chieftain of the Cowal Games in 2011. She was given an