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
2017 Scottish Rally Championship Beaton were declared champions in their Ford Fiesta R5. With only one event left to run the pair were uncatchable in the points table. For season 2017 there was seven events held predominantly on gravel surfaces. Due to calendar changes within the British Rally Championship, the "Scottish Rally", usually held in June was brought forward to May. June, meanwhile welcomed a new event to the calendar, the "Argyll Rally" which saw a return to the forests of Cowal after an absence of 14 years. Points are awarded to the highest placed registered drivers on each event as follows: 30, 28,