[1] MV Bute's passenger accommodation consisted of a large lounge and a tearoom above, and a bar below, the car deck.

She was fitted with electric hoists and side-ramps to allow the loading of vehicles from conventional piers and at any state of tide.

For her final service, a door was cut in her side ramp, allowing access to flit boats on the Small Isles run.

[1] From December 1972 Bute was chartered to MacBrayne's for two months on the Oban - Craignure - Lochaline run, while MV Clansman was rebuilt as a drive-through ferry.

Bute's funnel was the first to carry the new red CalMac colour, applied before she went north in December 1972 while that of Cowal remained the vivid CSP yellow until 1974.

[1] In early 1975, Bute operated on contract, transporting workers to the oil rig construction site at Ardyne.