Scotland’s oldest woman passes away aged 109

Jessie Gallan has passes away aged 109. Picture: HeMedia

Jessie Gallan from Aberdeen, who was born in a two-room cottage in 1906 on a farm in Kintore, celebrated her milestone birthday just three months ago.

In January, the modest centenarian revealed her secret to long life - a daily dose of porridge and no men.

She said: “My secret to a long life has been staying away from men,

“They’re just more trouble than they’re worth.”

Jessie, who had been living at VSA’s Crosby House care home in Aberdeen, became one of the home’s most popular residents - where staff described her as a kind and sociable addition to the family.

She would sit each day and chat with her best friend and fellow resident, Sarah- Jane Main, and immerse herself in all the activities going on in the home.

When she celebrated her 109th birthday on January 2, Crosby House manager Sandra Angus said birthday wishes flooded in from all corners of the globe, much to Jessie’s amazement.

She said: “We had people phoning in from across the world, and people coming to the front door wanting to say hello.

“Jessie went viral,

“But she took everything in her stride.”

As a young girl, Jessie slept top to toe with her five sisters and one brother, in their small cottage.

Despite never having a penny, she recalled a childhood full of happiness.

She said: “We never had any money, but we were all very happy.”

Jessie, who never married, left school to work in a farm kitchen, but later left to take up a housemaid’s job at the home of a wealthy businessman in Gray Street, in Aberdeen.

She then went to work at the Lauriston Hotel at Ballater, where the arrival of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was the highlight of the season.

Jessie stayed at Ballater, working as a waitress, for 10 years.

She said: “We always waited to see the Queen when she arrived at Ballater on the train.”

However, two weeks ago, her health started to deteriorate.

Jessie died peacefully in her own bed on Thursday morning, with her family by her side.