Erin Napier is swapping small-town Mississippi for the misty streets of Scotland — and she’s doing it with a grin, despite a fear that once kept her closer to home.
A Scotsman’s Homecoming, with Erin by His Side
Fans of HGTV’s Home Town know Erin and Ben Napier for their old-house charm and Southern hospitality. But chilly Edinburgh isn’t Laurel, Mississippi. For Ben, though, this trip is personal — it’s a chance to show his roots.
“Seeing his homeland with my Scotsman 🏴,” Erin wrote under a sun-dappled Instagram snap. She and Ben are bundled up in jackets and sunglasses, soaking up a milder July than they’re used to.
It’s more than a holiday. For Ben, whose family tree runs deep in Scottish soil, it’s a walk through history. For Erin, it’s a step outside her comfort zone.
Conquering Her Travel Anxiety
Erin has spoken before about her nerves around international trips. Crowds, airports, long flights — all the little stresses that pile up. For years, they stayed stateside.
“I always worried something would go wrong,” she once admitted. But with their girls growing up fast, she felt ready. Maybe not relaxed, but ready.
She posted two snapshots: one, the couple bracing Scotland’s cooler breeze; the other, Ben striding ahead with a well-worn backpack. The bag got its own shoutout too: “cool backpack by @thompsondrygoods!” she laughed in the comments.
Sometimes, it’s the little familiar comforts — a sturdy bag, a partner’s steady hand — that help ease big fears.
The Kids Are Along for the Ride
You won’t see Helen (7) or Mae (4) in Erin’s feed — the Napiers keep their daughters away from the online spotlight. But she confirmed they’re right there, experiencing castles, bagpipes, and rainy pavements alongside mom and dad.
A friend close to the family says the girls were buzzing about “seeing where Daddy’s people came from.” For Ben, it’s a chance to show them heritage beyond the pine trees of Mississippi.
• Family time overseas
• A lesson in roots and culture
• An adventure for little feet
Helen reportedly asked if Nessie the Loch Ness Monster would “come say hi.” Erin, with her trademark humour, replied, “She might, if you ask nicely.”
Not Just a Vacation Snap
Erin’s openness about her worries hits home for many. It’s easy to think TV stars breeze through airports, but fear doesn’t care about celebrity.
Her fans flooded the comments with support — some sharing their own travel jitters. Others just loved seeing the couple away from power tools and paint chips, living life in real time.
It’s not all cobblestones and tartan, though. Erin’s said she misses Laurel’s summer heat already. But who wouldn’t swap a muggy Mississippi porch for a crisp stroll down the Royal Mile, at least once?
What’s Next for the Napiers?
They’ve hinted at more family trips now that Erin’s pushed past the fear. Europe’s on the list — France, maybe Italy. But Scotland is where she drew her brave line in the sand.
If you’re ever in Edinburgh and see a bearded giant with a backpack and a designer snapping photos at his side, you might just have bumped into the Napiers. And behind those snapshots is a woman who proved that sometimes you just have to buy the ticket, get on the plane, and trust yourself to breathe.
