HGTV stars Ben and Erin Napier are still processing their family’s epic trip to Scotland over the summer, and Ben is revealing the single most important item that was a “must have” for the trip.
In a new Instagram post, Ben Napier put up a carousel of pictures and videos from the “Home Town” stars time in Scotland. In the caption he wrote, “Adding the first patches to my “rucksack” made by @thompsondrygoods. It was the single most important item I had on our trip to Scotland. More Scotland posts to come.”
The first picture in the post shows a closeup of three patches affixed to Ben’s rucksack. One reads “Scenic Route North 500 Coast Scotland, 510 Miles.”
Another reads Glen Eagles Hotel Golf Courses.
And a third shows the insignia for a World War II era Era US-Made 8-Wheel Tank Destroyer Patch.
The other pictures show Ben Napier with the rucksack, hiking in the Scottish countryside. Ben tags Alastair Chalmers, who is listed as a “Professional deer manager.” One of the men Ben hikes with has a hunting rifle on his back, and at one point, the rucksack seems to be hanging on deer antlers.
The name “Napier” is embossed on the rucksack’s handle on the deer antlers.
Decoding the Rucksack Patches
The patch that reads “Scenic Route North 500 Coast Scotland, 510 Miles” refers to The North Coast 500 (NC500)- which is 516 miles of road that runs along the coast in the North Highlands of Scotland.
According to Nordic Visitor, the road starts and ends in Inverness, famous for the legend of the Loch Ness Monster.
The NC500 is often referred to as “Scotland’s Route 66.” It takes visitors through charming fishing villages and past ancient castles like Dunrobin Castle and the ruins of Ardvreck Castle.
The second patch refers to the world-renowned Gleneagles Hotel and Golf Course.
Everything from the Ryder Cup to the Scottish PGA Championship has been held at the Gleneagles golf course, considered one of the best in the world.
The third patch is more of a mystery. It is a World War II era patch symbolizing the US-Made 8-Wheel Tank Destroyer. Why this was significant to the Napiers’ Scotland visit, only they know.
Erin Napier Continues to Give Fans Glimpses of Family’s Epic Vacation
Erin Napier continues to sprinkle pictures and musings from the family’s Scottish vacation in July on her Instagram account.
In one post, she unloads lessons learned, writing, “thoughts after international travel:
can you die from jet lag?
is there a reason they don’t have ranch in the UK?
i mean, have they tasted it?
i wish our drink bottles had those flip tops.
AC is really great, and very special.
i wish we had no dyes in our food like the UK.
but i wish their laundry soap worked better.”
She goes on, “i didn’t see her but i still think nessie is real.
i like our toilets that flush reliably.
i like their midges more than our mosquitoes. gleneagles thought of EVERYTHING.
it is a long flight across the ocean.
house of bruar was like a fever dream. IYKYK.
travel makes your kids flexible and indestructible!
@houseofthenortherngate is my favorite place.”
Erin Napier Wasn’t Always So Enthusiastic About the Trip
But while she says “travel makes your kids flexible and indestructible!“- Erin didn’t feel that way in the months leading up to the trip.
When she and Ben were guests on Christian podcaster Annie F. Down’s “That Sounds Fun” podcast in June, Erin admitted she was filled with anxiety about the upcoming trip.
Erin said, “Right now, we’re getting ready to take a trip to Scotland in July to study his family heritage, and I am absolutely terrified.”
“Like, I have so much anxiety about crossing an ocean with my children. I, like, can’t even think about it,” she admitted. Erin explained, “I have to just — I’m disassociating from it because I can’t let myself think about all the things that can go wrong. I could list at least 20 things right now if you want to hear what I think could go wrong.”
“And they’re not big things, is the funny thing,” Ben said smiling, but Erin disagreed, saying, “No, they’re totally big things! You cross an ocean and you break your leg, who we calling? Where are we going?”
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Ben Napier Reveals ‘Single Most Important Item’ for Family’s Scottish Vacation