The school residential is back. But, in recent times, because of the pandemic, many pupils have missed out on these experiences - which are often used as a way to mark the end of their time in primary school, before they make the move to secondary.

Now, Scottish Conservative MSP and former teacher Liz Smith is proposing that all pupils should have the right to that at least one week of residential outdoor education, and that right should be enshrined in law.

The proposed legislation will place a requirement on all local authorities and grant-aided schools to make provision for all 12- to 16-year-olds to experience at least one week of residential outdoor education in their school career.

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The principles of the bill have already won support from organisations such as the Outward Bound trust in Scotland, but now Ms Smith is seeking further submissions from interested parties before the bill starts its legislative journey through the Scottish Parliament.

The consultation period will run until 22 July.

Making the case for the new duty, Ms Smith said that now, more than ever, pupils from all backgrounds need the chance to benefit from all the positives residential experiences can bring - not just to their physical health, but to their mental health as well.

She said: “I firmly believe that residential outdoor education should be on offer to all young people. There is well-established and compelling evidence that shows just how much these experiences can increase self-esteem, self-reliance, confidence and resilience.   

“They help young people to know what it means to be part of a team, to learn leadership skills and the importance of valuing friendship, and they connect them to the natural environment.

“Bearing in mind the impact of the pandemic on young people, when there is growing national concern about young people’s physical and mental wellbeing, the benefits of residential outdoor education cannot be overstated.”

She added: “Furthermore, the fact that many children from some of the more deprived areas do not get the same opportunities as their counterparts elsewhere, residential outdoor education should be a key part of the curriculum.”

Martin Davidson of the Outward Bound Trust in Scotland said he supported the bill “100 per cent” and that “outdoor residentials provide unique and powerful experiences”.