Gaming gran from Aberdeen who plays Fortnite every day is Guinness World Records title holder
Cath Bowie came across Fortnite by accident in 2017 now - aged 78 - she has more than 24,000 followers and a Guinness World record.
A 78-year-old gaming gran from Aberdeen has been recognised as one of the oldest Fortnite streamers by Guinness World Records.
Cath Bowie, better known online as grumpygran1948, started playing Fortnite in 2017 with her grandson and has built a community of more than 24,000 followers.
Now her story features in the newly released Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition 2027 with Cath given the title of oldest female Fortnite streamer on service Twitch.
Fortnite is a video game platform with seven modes - all sharing the same general gameplay - in which gamers follow and play each other. In Fortnite Battle Royale, up to 100 players fight to be the last person standing.
Cath said she came across the game by accident when she walked into her then 17-year-old grandson’s room.
She had previously tried the football and car games he enjoyed without much success.
Cath said: “Although I have tried several other games, I have never found the excitement that I get from Fortnite. I call myself a Fortniter more than a gamer.”
After initially playing on her grandson’s console, Cath eventually bought her own and decided she wanted to try streaming.
Her grandson wasn’t convinced anyone would watch her play. “As a young guy, he just couldn’t believe that his grandma would do such a thing and suggested that nobody would join me or watch me,” Cath said.
“Saying that was like a red rag to a bull to me. I would show him that I could do it. And 24,000 plus followers later and he doesn’t mention it. I wonder why?”
Today, Cath regularly streams Fortnite as grumpygran1948, a name chosen by her granddaughter despite Cath insisting she “doesn’t grump”.
She said gaming is as much about community and challenging herself as winning: “I love the community. I love talking to people. I chat all the time, and I just love the whole atmosphere,” she said.
“I love the challenge that it gives me, and I’m afraid I play it every day.”
Reflecting on becoming a Guinness World Records title holder, Cath said: “To be a Guinness World Records title holder means so much to me personally, and it’s such a wonderful thing to be able to share with my supportive community.
“At 78, I grew up receiving the book as a Christmas present, and it would never have occurred to me that one day I would open one of its pages and see myself.
“Even as I progressed over the years in gaming, being recognised as an older female player and streamer in Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition 2027 always felt like a distant goal - something on my wish list that I never really thought I would achieve.
“So to have achieved this honour means a great deal. I’m incredibly thankful to my wonderful family, who have encouraged me throughout the last nine years of playing, and to the many friends I’ve played with along the way.”
Cath, who turned 78 on September 1, added: “Never let anyone tell you that you’re too old. You are never too old to start gaming. Do it.”
Alice Bell, Editor of Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition 2027, said: “At Guinness World Records we believe gaming is for everyone, and this edition showcases gamers of different generations and cultures from around the world. It’s a privilege to celebrate our Power Up Planet with them, and hopefully inspire even more people to be part of it.”
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