• While visiting Scotland for the first time, I learned which essentials I actually needed to pack.
• Layers, rain gear, and warm socks kept me ready for the unpredictable weather.
• However, I wish I had brought more comfortable clothing and a small crossbody bag with me.

During a trip to Scotland, I learned that rolling hills demand comfortable walking shoes, fall weather calls for layers, and a visit to the Highland cows just might require allergy medication.

I’ve been lucky enough to travel to the UK several times, but this was my first visit to the charming city of Edinburgh.

As I quickly learned, packing for Scotland is an adventure in itself. And although I got some things right, there were definitely a few items I wish I’d brought in my suitcase.

Here are six items I’m glad I packed, and four I really wish I had.

I’m glad I brought plenty of layers to keep up with Scotland’s changing weather.

During my trip, I learned that the weather in the UK can be unpredictable and constantly changes throughout the day.

I visited Scotland in September, when the mornings were often cold, but by noon, the sun would warm things up in spots.

Plus, all the walking I was doing often made me sweat under my jacket, even on chilly days.

With all of that variation, I was glad I packed plenty of layers that I could easily add or remove. I recommend packing clothing in neutral colors so items can mix and match effortlessly.

Rain was frequent and unpredictable, so I carried my umbrella everywhere.

During my trip, I encountered quite a bit of rain that came and went throughout the day.

To stay prepared, I packed rain boots — also known as “wellies” by people in Scotland — and carried my travel-sized umbrella with me everywhere.

In my experience, the American weather apps didn’t seem as accurate in the UK as the local ones, so there were days when I couldn’t tell whether it was actually going to rain or not. In the end, it was best just to be ready for everything.

My fleece-lined socks were a game changer for keeping my feet warm.

Another game changer for me was packing a few pairs of big, plush socks.

Rain boots did a great job of keeping my feet dry, but not necessarily warm. And even on warmer days, my feet always seem to get chilly.

Whether I wore boots or sneakers, having cozy socks made such a difference. I found fleece-lined ones to be the most comfortable — and perfect for warming up.

A power adapter was essential for keeping all my devices charged.

When traveling abroad, it’s essential to pack the correct power adapter. The UK uses a different plug type than many other countries in Europe — three rectangular prongs instead of the round ones.

Having the right adapter allowed me to easily charge my devices and use my hair tools without any issues.

I bought a multi-pack on Amazon before my trip. Some sets even include built-in USB ports or surge protection, which are great features to look for.

With a portable charger, I could explore all day without stressing about my phone’s battery.

For me, a portable charger is an absolute must-have item when traveling.

Whether I was returning to the Airbnb after a long travel day, navigating the streets of Edinburgh, or looking up bus routes, the last thing I wanted was for my phone to die in an unfamiliar place.

Plus, carrying a portable charger is much more convenient than the alternative — lugging around a cord and an adapter everywhere.

Having one on me let me explore, snap photos, and check directions without worrying about my battery.

I was glad to have allergy medicine after spending some time at a farm.

No trip to Scotland felt complete without seeing Highland cows. Luckily, the farm we visited also had a few friendly horses to pet.

What the social media photos don’t show, however, are the potential allergy attacks that can come from being around these adorable animals.

On the walk back from the farm, my friends and I all started feeling some symptoms, but luckily, we had each packed some allergy medicine.

It’s definitely worth bringing your own from home, especially if you typically suffer from allergies. Having mine on hand saved me the hassle of figuring out what to buy at a local pharmacy.

However, I wish I had packed some more comfortable clothing to make all the walking easier.

When I packed for my trip, I had Instagram pictures in mind — not the terrain of Scotland.

I definitely didn’t anticipate all the hills, steep inclines, mud, and rocky paths I’d be walking on. So even though I had plenty of layers, it wasn’t the kind of clothing that would’ve made hiking and exploring more comfortable.

I found myself wandering around in trench coats, tights, and boots, while locals and other travelers breezed past me in sneakers and windbreakers. I quickly realized that comfort beats aesthetics every time.

I would’ve felt more secure if I’d packed a small crossbody bag for walking around.

I thought I had packed every type of bag — a backpack, tote bag, card holder, and a shoulder bag for going out. But the one thing I really wish I’d brought was a crossbody or belt bag that sat closer to my body.

For one, I think I would’ve felt a bit less worried about pickpockets, which are on my radar when I travel to any big cities and busy tourist spots.

Instead, throughout my trip, I found myself clutching my open tote bag tightly to keep it shut. I even tucked my phone into my waistband to try to keep it safe.

Plus, a crossbody would’ve been lighter and easier for me to carry. My shoulders were starting to feel sore after a few days of carrying the brunt of the weight of my belongings.

I should’ve taken out local currency before my trip.

I don’t always exchange local currency before going abroad, but on this trip, I found myself in situations where I wish I had.

For example, there were times when I wanted to tip street vendors or service workers but didn’t have any cash. Another time, at a pub, my friend had to cover me for the night because they didn’t accept my type of credit card.

Although most places I went took cards and Apple Pay, I wish I had made the extra effort to visit my local bank before the trip and travel with local currency — just enough for moments like this.

Not bringing a credit card with no foreign transaction fee ended up costing me a decent amount of money.

Another money mistake I made abroad was not looking into a credit card without foreign transaction fees.

I relied on my regular card for most of my spending in Scotland, and by the end of the trip, those little fees had added up to about $150.

It’s an easy thing to overlook, but doing a bit of research beforehand could’ve saved me some money.

Next time, I’ll plan in advance and apply for one that allows me to swipe without being charged for every purchase.

This story was originally published on November 14, 2025, and most recently updated on September 29, 2026.

• The US counter-drone task force said it is prepared to invest billions of dollars in new systems.
• Officials said the types of technologies range from sensors to kinetic weapons for shooting down drones.
• The US has a marketplace for agencies and military units to buy counter-UAS weapons they specifically need.

The US task force leading the military’s response to the drone threat is ready to spend billions of dollars on contracts for counter-drone technologies, betting that a mixed arsenal will be needed to contend with one of the fast-growing battlefield problems.

Officials said the investment would help scale different technologies so that more federal agencies and military units can get what they need for specific requirements, environments, and threats. The contracts mark the latest step in accelerating the adoption of counter-drone systems, the urgency driven by ongoing conflicts and the rapid proliferation of drones.

On Tuesday, the Joint Interagency Task Force 401, or JIATF-401, announced a new set of enterprise contracts for counter-drone and counter-uncrewed aerial system technologies with a combined ceiling of nearly $7 billion.

“I’ll tell you there isn’t one answer to the drone threat,” Brent Ingraham, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisitions, logistics, and technology, told reporters. “So we didn’t build around one solution.”

The new contracts include a range of companies and counter-UAS capabilities, including sensors and other non-kinetic options for detecting and disabling drones, as well as kinetic weapons for shooting them down. Officials said the contracts gave agencies more options going forward rather than relying completely on a specific company or system.

“I think it solves a couple of problems,” Brig. Gen. Matthew Ross, director of JIATF-401, said during a roundtable discussion. “Number one is it makes sure that these capabilities that are going to be proliferated a ton are available to our formations.” The contracts also help widen the availability of systems that may have been seen as specific to the Department of Defense.

JIATF-401 replaced the Pentagon’s previous counter-drone force and covers the military as well as federal, state, and local agencies.

Earlier this year, the task force stood up a drone marketplace where units and agencies can buy systems. Efforts have been underway to make the marketplace available to international partners and allies as well. Earlier this month, Australia became the first ally to successfully procure technology from the marketplace.

While the war in Ukraine has incentivized the US to adapt to the new demands of modern drone warfare, other incidents and attacks have added urgency. Hostile drones killed six US service members in Kuwait in March and three soldiers in Jordan in 2024. An investigation into the latter, obtained by Business Insider, found that the military was insufficiently prepared for the threat.

Military officials have said they see no silver bullet for defeating drones that can be easily distributed across the larger force; instead, a variety of technologies need to be available to meet specific requirements. “If you think about 11th Airborne in Alaska or 1st Armored Division, both Army units, they have very different needs in terms of counter-UAS capability,” Ross said.

Officials have also emphasized the importance of building a layered defense against drones with systems that can detect, disable, and destroy threats at different ranges. The new contracts are intended to give units access to that necessary mix of capabilities.

• Hannah Mitchell chose the Merchant Marine Academy over MIT and the Naval Academy.
• Financial considerations influenced Hannah’s choice, offering freedom in military or civilian roles.
• Despite initial doubts, Hannah is thriving at the academy and says she doesn’t regret her choice.

This as-told-to essay is based on conversations for our Boot Camp video series with Hannah Mitchell, 18, a student from Denver studying marine engineering at the Merchant Marine Academy — the only federal service academy where graduates can pursue a civilian maritime career rather than immediately entering active-duty military service. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

When I was deciding where to go to college, I had several options I was excited about, including MIT and the Naval Academy. My mom, however, had been nudging me toward another school for a while.

I was 17, trying to figure out what I wanted the rest of my life to look like, and I didn’t want my mom making that decision for me.

In the end, though, I chose the school she wanted, but not because she wanted me to. I chose the Merchant Marine Academy because it gave me more freedom to decide what I wanted to do after graduation.

If I’m being honest, money mattered, too

MIT was only financially possible for me if I accepted my Naval ROTC scholarship, which would have committed me to the Navy. Attending the Naval Academy would have put me on a similar path.

At the time, I didn’t want to lock myself into the Navy for years without knowing how I might feel later in college. I wanted the option to enter the civilian sector if I changed my mind.

I also wanted a little bit better base pay upon graduation.

At the United States Merchant Marine Academy, I can choose to commission into any of the six active duty branches of the military, or commission into the Navy Reserves and sail as a merchant mariner on a commercial ship after graduation.

My mom thought that the freedom and financial stability of the civilian option were appealing too, long before I came to the same conclusion.

Plus, for a long time, my dream was to join the Navy’s surface warfare community, and she believed the Merchant Marine Academy could give me a stronger path there.

Other people didn’t necessarily understand my decision.

Everybody had heard of MIT, while the Merchant Marine Academy was a tiny school that many people around me weren’t aware of. Some of my teachers even gave me grief about turning MIT down.

However, three months after joining the Merchant Marine Academy, I still feel like I ended up in the right place.

The academy was more intense than I imagined

I had never moved around as a child. Coming to the Merchant Marine Academy meant moving halfway across the country and leaping straight into what felt like basically boot camp.

Pictures and YouTube videos hadn’t prepared me for how intense it would feel in person. When I took the oath on my first day, the whole experience felt like a fever dream.

Since then, I’ve had moments of self-doubt. I’ve thought, “I’m not built for this, I’m not supposed to do this.”

A swim test a few weeks ago brought some of those doubts back. I had to tread water for 15 minutes and then go straight into a 5-minute prone float, face down in the water. I could come up briefly for air as needed, but I couldn’t keep my face above water any longer than it took to breathe before going back under. I’d never made it much longer than 30 seconds doing a prone float before.

I was really worried I would fail. People around me cheered me on, though. That and the fact that I really didn’t want to have to do the whole thing again is what helped me push through and pass.

I’m starting to figure out which option I want

Life here has expanded in other ways, too. I joined the band and the rowing team. I’m now a varsity athlete, which is a very strange thing to say as a lifelong academic.

I’ve made friends and found a place for myself here. My mom tells me I’ve blossomed.

My plans after graduation are becoming clearer, too.

I used to really want to join the Navy. Now, after hearing professors talk about their experiences living and working on ships, I’m leaning more strongly toward becoming a merchant mariner.

I want to sail for a while and see the world. I’d also like to explore Europe and visit Australia if I get the opportunity.

My plans could change after I go out to sea during my sophomore and junior years. The academy requires midshipmen to complete 300 days aboard commercial ships, split up between sophomore and junior year, to earn the Coast Guard license required for graduation.

For now, though, becoming a merchant mariner feels like the right path.

That’s part of what I wanted when I chose this school in the first place. I didn’t want to have my entire future figured out at 17. I wanted enough options to figure it out for myself.

• Student-loan borrowers are facing the first deadline to transition off the SAVE plan this week.
• Some borrowers have faced technical issues submitting applications to a new repayment plan.
• Borrowers who do not select a new plan before their deadline will be placed on a standard plan.

The first batch of student-loan borrowers is required to switch to a new repayment plan this week — but some of them are running into issues.

After President Donald Trump’s administration eliminated the Biden-era SAVE plan, which gave borrowers cheaper monthly payments, servicers began notifying borrowers on July 1 of their 90-day timeframe to switch to a new plan.

The notices have come in waves, and September 29 is the first transition deadline. The Department of Education recommended that borrowers enroll in the new Repayment Assistance Plan, which is intended to be the more affordable option for borrowers and waives unpaid interest.

However, when some borrowers attempted to submit their RAP application, they encountered a screen that loads indefinitely, preventing them from progressing, according to videos and screenshots reviewed by Business Insider.

One borrower said he has been trying for over a month to submit the application and has about 6 weeks left before his deadline to transition off SAVE. He said that customer service agents have told him to try on multiple devices or submit a paper application; the paper application has not yet been updated to include RAP.

Another borrower said customer service attributed the issue to a “system glitch” and did not give a timeline of when it would be fixed.

An Education Department spokesperson told Business Insider that the paper application, which includes RAP, will be available “later this week” and is not aware of any widespread technical issues affecting applications.

Borrowers who do not switch to a new plan within the specified timeframe will automatically be placed on the standard plan, the most expensive option. An ongoing lawsuit seeks to stop the forced transfer of borrowers from SAVE.

The spokesperson did not provide a timeline for when borrowers who do not select a new plan will be enrolled in the standard plan and confirmed that 1.5 million borrowers had left the SAVE plan as of September 14. Some borrowers still have not received their notices to switch to a new plan, and servicers said they intend to send all remaining notices by the end of 2026.

The department said that Trump’s repayment overhaul is intended to simplify a complex repayment system and compel colleges to lower their tuition. Still, borrowers over the past few months have reported a range of errors, including incorrect monthly bills and account statuses, making it difficult to prepare for future monthly payments.

In addition to the first SAVE deadline, borrowers have until September 30 to enroll in autopay and receive a one-percentage-point interest rate reduction through June 30, 2028.

Have a story to share about student loans? Contact this reporter at asheffey@businessinsider.com.

• Matt Robb said that Muse gave his address to a Facebook Marketplace buyer without his knowledge.
• “Luckily I’m in an apartment with security,” he wrote.
• A Meta staffer said that in similar cases, Muse was “following direct instructions and correctly asked for permission.”

Matt Robb said that a Facebook Marketplace buyer showed up at his building’s door — but he hadn’t given him the address, his Muse AI agent did.

Robb is a tech reviewer on YouTube who used Muse to list a computer keyboard on Facebook Marketplace, he wrote on Threads. Robb said Muse then accepted a “lowball” offer, gave out his home address, and communicated with the buyer when he arrived — all without his knowledge.

“A guy just showed up at my door, ready to buy, because as far as he knew, we had a deal,” Robb wrote. “AI agents are impressive right up until they’re confidently handing strangers your address.”

David Singleton, a Meta Superintelligence Labs staffer, responded to Robb on Threads and X. He wrote that, in similar reported cases, Muse was “following direct instructions and correctly asked for permission.” He asked to direct message Robb about what happened.

A Meta representative told Business Insider that Robb had not responded to its reach-outs and declined to comment further, referring back to Singleton’s post.

A Facebook Marketplace deal gone wrong

Robb posted screenshots of his interactions with Muse — and Muse’s interactions with the Facebook Marketplace buyer — in his Threads post.

His account sent an address to a Facebook Marketplace buyer on Saturday, according to the screenshots. “Can’t do a meetup,” he wrote. “Would have to be a pickup.”

The would-be buyer said he would try his best to come that night between 8 and 10 p.m. Then he arrived, sending a photo that appears to be of Robb’s apartment building and messaging that he was at the address.

Robb didn’t show. “If you didn’t want to sell it,” the buyer wrote, “why did you waste my time man.”

The Marketplace buyer left a rating. Robb’s Muse agent responded later, apologizing and explaining that he “got tied up.”

One minute later, Muse messaged Robb and explained the situation. Muse’s auto-reply had told the buyer, “Yup, I’m here!” it wrote. “That’s a bad look and it made the no-show worse.”

Robb responded that Muse should “never do that again.”

Some X commenters wondered whether it was user error. Robb did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

How safe are AI agents?

Regardless of whether or not user error factored in, Robb’s story highlights that allowing an AI agent to act on your behalf comes with risks. No AI agent has a perfect track record.

AI agent users fork over broad swaths of information. Some open their emails; others link their credit card.

It’s led to some horror stories. Agent users told Business Insider about leaked data, accessed accounts, and hallucinations. (Many have also had positive experiences with agents, and the tools remain highly popular.)

In Robb’s case, commenters on Threads began to worry. “Good thing you’re not an isolated woman,” one user responded. “That’s dangerous.” The comment got over 600 likes.

Robb acknowledged the safety risk in his post: “Luckily I’m in an apartment with security.”

• Overhauls to US Navy public shipyards will take decades longer and cost billions more, according to a new report.
• The GAO found that unplanned issues and costs have extended timelines.
• Deteriorating conditions at yards have led to backlogs on ship maintenance.

The US Navy’s plan to repair its public shipyards is expected to cost billions more and take decades longer than originally planned, according to a new government watchdog report.

The Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program is intended to fix poor conditions at the Navy’s four public shipyards, which maintain the fleet’s nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers.

However, unplanned costs and newly identified risks have dramatically expanded the project’s scope, leading the report authors to recommend that Congress require the Navy to provide annual updates on its progress.

Last week, the Government Accountability Office, a congressional watchdog, released a report documenting problems with the program, writing that it “will surpass $200 billion and take over 50 more years to execute” based on GAO analysis.

The report added that “developing the plans and cost estimates to rebuild the Navy’s four public shipyards has taken the Navy years longer — and will cost much more — than originally anticipated due to multiple challenges and changes involved in the program.”

The Navy has four public shipyards: Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in Hawaii, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine, and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Washington. Poor conditions have left the yards unable to keep up with maintenance demands, leading to backlogs.

USS Boise, a Los Angeles-class submarine that ultimately spent roughly a decade sidelined by maintenance delays before finally being retired, is a particularly well-known example of these challenges.

Problems with the yards, as well as the need to upgrade capabilities for future vessels, prompted the Navy to initiate the optimization plan in 2018, but the service “underestimated the time needed” and “did not fully account for the many challenges, uncertainties, and complex analyses needed to sufficiently plan for an endeavor of SIOP’s magnitude,” the GAO report said.

One such issue that arose was the vulnerability of structures at Puget Sound to potential seismic activity. The GAO said “since 2023, the Navy has identified over $1 billion in needed facility retrofits and new construction to mitigate newly assessed seismic risks” at the yard.

Many of the facilities in the four public yards were built between 80 and 120 years ago and have deteriorated due to long-deferred maintenance. This has led to unexpected or additional work needs, the report said.

And while these shipyards are being upgraded, they are also still active, creating other issues. In one example, safety risks were found in failing buildings at Norfolk, requiring extensive repair projects to the facilities, including one building that may eventually be demolished but is currently used for ship maintenance.

In its new report, the GAO made four recommendations, including that Congress should require the Navy to “annually report consolidated, standardized status updates” on the program’s cost and schedule.

The remaining recommendations include future reviews of requirements and resources, as well as documenting the roles and responsibilities of organizations involved in the program.

A Navy official told Business Insider that the service’s original estimate of 20 years and $21 billion was a preliminary assessment that has since evolved. The official said the program has already delivered “tangible readiness results,” adding that the Navy welcomes the GAO’s review and is “incorporating their recommendations” as it develops a multi-decade master plan.