Some of the unregistered offspring of this old matron were also highly esteemed.  A son of hers, that later came into service as an ox, Hugh Watson considered the most perfect specimen of the polled breed he ever raised. This ox won first prize in class in 1843 at the Highland show at Dundee, and he walked the thirteen miles from Keillor to the grounds to be exhibited. At Belfast, Ireland, Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, purchased him, and, as his property, showed him at Smithfield in 1844.

     This ox met with such favor in the royal family as to be made a life pensioner.  A painting was made of him for Mr.  Watson, and colored engravings were also published and widely distributed, one of which is in the possession of the writer. A portrait was also made of him by the celebrated animal painter, Gourlay Steell. This ox served as a valued laborer on the farm and lived to be 17 years of age.

     In searching for specific information concerning Old Grannie, the writer has been unable to find any statement as to her type and personal character. No mention of these things is made in considerable Angus literature at my disposal, including articles by Hugh Watson himself, William Watson, his son, and an extended sketch by a daughter, as well as the writings of McCombie, Macdonald and Sinclair and R. C. Auld. That she was an animal of very superior form and quality in her prime is undoubted.

Miss Watson writes of Old Grannie:
     “She, herself, when she was 34, was shown at Aberdeen as extra stock in 1858, and created quite a sensation in the show yard.” The sensation, however, was no doubt due to the remarkable age of the cow herself. As she was the dam of over two dozen prize-takers, she no doubt had the essentials of a shapely cow of quality.

     Aside from the breeding value of Old Grannie two things occurred during her life that add much interest to her career.  In 1859, two days before her death, at the special request of Prince Albert, a photograph of her was taken, and in October, that year, was placed in the collection of cattle photographs in Balmoral castle, the Scotch home of the queen.

     Another happy incident was the presenting to James Thompson, the herdsman who had attended Old Grannie all her life, who had been in Mr. Watson’s employ for forty-two years, of a medal and premium of 100 francs by the French Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This was in recognition of the kindness which must have characterized the care of the old matron during the many years of her life at Keillor.

     There must have been many a tug at the heart strings when Old Grannie passed away on that July 1, 1859. And, as many an old granny leaves a vacancy hard to fill in this world, so must this old dame have left at Keillor a place none but she could occupy. Nor was there another like her at least in that bonnie Scotland.

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