Scottish gamer gran celebrates turning 78 with her Fortnite streaming world record
Cath Bowie, based in Aberdeen in the UK, said she was "instantly intrigued" when she saw her grandson playing Fortnite.
That was back in 2017, when Epic Games' famous multiplayer game first launched its Battle Royale mode. Cut to now, and Cath is better known as "grumpygran48" to over 24,000 Twitch followers. Cath, who regularly streams for hours at a time, turned 78 on 1 September, and is the oldest female Fortnite streamer on the platform.
"Nearly nine years later I am still playing it, still absolutely loving it and although still growing older I have never made my age a deterrent," Cath told us. "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."
Cath started streaming after she created her own Fortnite account in 2018, and it was her grandson who provided the impetus - although not exactly how you might expect.
"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 explained. "Saying that was like a red rag to a bull to me. I would show him that I could do it. 24,000+ followers later and he doesn't mention it. I wonder why?"
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The most important thing of all is that in all these years I have continued to enjoy every day, every week, every month and every year that I have played and streamed.
Cath doesn't focus on traditional wins, but she always has a goal for every game, to challenge herself whenever she plays. "I have never been disappointed with my performance. I do it for me and to chat with my lovely supporters."
The name "grumpygran1948" was suggested by her granddaughter, but as Cath points out, it was a bit of a joke, because "everyone knows I don't grump." Cath's positivity and hijinks during games - not to mention her infectious laugh - means that as she's continued streaming, she's also continued to grow her community and meet people.
"The most important thing of all is that in all these years I have continued to enjoy every day, every week, every month and every year that I have played and streamed," Cath said.
"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 said. And she has a message for other prospective older gamers out there: "NEVER let age stop you. If I can do it so can you."
Cath is one of the inspiring gaming record breakers in this years Gamer's Edition book, which is out now. "Being in the 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," Cath told us. "So to have achieved this honour means a great deal."
Alongside Cath in the pages of the latest Gamer's Edition you can find Max Baker, who also didn't let his age hold him back - but from the other end of the scale.
Max was just 11 years old when achieved the world record for being the youngest game developer (male) at his local library in Penarth, also in the UK, in May 2025. "I really enjoy being able to bring ideas from my imagination out into the real world," he said. "Playing a game that you've made makes it twice as fun!"
For his World Record Title, Max had to code his whole game, Gravity Parkour 2.0, in just four hours, though he told us it was "fun working with the time pressure".
Max said that being featured in the Gamer's Edition 2027 - for which he has also provided the foreword - is "a dream come true!" Together, Cath and Max epitomize the fact that gaming truly is for everyone, whether you're a (not so!) grumpy gran, or a younger gamer bringing their ideas to life.
The Gamer's Edition 2027 is packed full of stories of inspiring gamers from all around the world, and it's a real joy to share them in the book. We'll definitely be keep an eye on Cath and Max's future achievements though, because they've got no plans to slow down. "Roll on towards 80!!" was Cath's cry.
If you want to know more about Officially Amazing gamers like Cath and Max, as well as read their stories, order the Gamer's Edition 2027 now!