MV Cowal in 1954. She inaugurated the regular Wemyss Bay to Rothesay car ferry service, on 1 October 1954 and remained in the upper Clyde for her whole career. From 1957 the three "A, B, C" sisters were working interchangeably. In May 1970, "Cowal" inaugurated a short-lived seasonal Fairlie-Tarbert-Brodick service. When this ended in September 1971, "Cowal" operated between Largs and Millport, until displaced in March 1972 by the former Skye ferry on the quicker Largs to Cumbrae Slip run. With linkspans at Gourock and Dunoon, the hoist-loading "Bute" and "Cowal" were restricted to the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay crossing, where "Cowal"
Glasgow Cowal Society Cup on four occasions and was captained Alex McKellar when they won the first playing of that competition in 1879. Indeed, in 2004 the club was represented by four of McKellar's great-great-grandchildren at the 100th final of the competition. In 1893, a game between Cowal and Kingussie was a major influence upon those who wished to formulise the rules of the game and to create a Camanachd Association. Cowal also appeared in the first ever Camanachd Cup Final but were defeated 2–0 in Inverness by Kingussie. The club was renowned for its "scientific" approach to the game, which initially