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Since Anam Cara Fasgadh was founded, every step forward has been possible only through the generosity, compassion and commitment of our fundraisers, donors, and supporters. Together, you have helped us create spaces of peace, remembrance, and healing for bereaved families across Scotland.

A New Chapter in Our Story

In May 2024, with Poppy’s Place almost fully booked for the entire year, the charity Directors launched the Cùram Cala Retreat Campaign to raise funds for a second haven of tranquillity. Soon after, in February 2025, following thoughtful discussions with the family-run team at Tralee Bay, it was confirmed that the lease for Poppy’s Place would conclude on 31 December 2025.

The response from our community was extraordinary. Individuals, families, organisations, and long-standing supporters rallied around the campaign, and by November 2025, Anam Cara Fasgadh was able to place a deposit on a brand-new caravan at Tralee Bay Coastal Parks. With this purchase comes a 13–15 year lease, securing our presence on the coastline of Argyll and ensuring that families will continue to have access to a sanctuary of stillness and support for many years to come.

Anam Cara Fasgadh’s core aim is to gift free restorative holidays to families bereaved through the death of a baby, child, or young person. Gabriel’s Oasis continues this mission by offering a peaceful, fully equipped retreat where families can rest, remember, and reconnect.

Our new caravan, Gabriel’s Oasis, is located at Tralee Bay Coastal Parks in Benderloch, Argyll. Thoughtfully furnished and designed for comfort, it sleeps up to 6 people (4 in two bedrooms, plus a double sofa bed in the lounge). Please note that pets are not permitted.

A comparable 7-night stay at Tralee Bay typically costs from £990, and many families who first visit through Anam Cara Fasgadh return the following year by booking directly with Tralee Bay—testament to just how special this location is.

A Haven by the Water

Gabriel’s Oasis is situated in the quieter, private end of the family-run holiday park, which nestles on the shores of Ardmucknish Bay within 26 acres of beautiful woodland. The caravan’s decking overlooks a tranquil lake—perfect for feeding ducks and watching the fish—and the beach is only a 5-minute walk away.

Tralee Bay Holidays offers a wonderful range of amenities, including:

Children’s play park with zip wire
Putting green
BBQ area
Fly-fishing pond
Slipway for launching boats
Stunning coastal and woodland walks
An award-winning chip shop

The nearby village of Benderloch lies just 8 miles north of Oban, the Gateway to the Isles, and 36 miles from Fort William, home to the UK’s highest mountain.

Inside Gabriel’s Oasis

🏡 2 Bedrooms (1 en-suite king, 1 twin) + Double sofa bed in lounge (sleeps up to 6)
🛁 Main bathroom
🍽️ Open-plan kitchen, dining & living area
🌐 WiFi included
🧺 Linen, towels (1 set per person) & all utilities provided

📍 Address for SatNav

Tralee Bay Holidays
Benderloch, Argyll
PA37 1QR

Check-In & Check-Out

Check-in: from 5pm Friday
Check-out: by 9.30am the following Friday

A Name Filled With Love and Meaning

The Directors were deeply honoured to invite Jonathan and Laura McLeish to name the new caravan. From the earliest days of the charity, Jonathan and Laura have been a tremendous source of strength and generosity, raising over £18,000 towards the retreat’s creation.

On Saturday 22 November 2025, Jonathan, Laura, and their children—Hollie, Jude, and Calvin—travelled from Bishopton to Tralee Bay to officially name the new caravan Gabriel’s Oasis, in memory of their precious son, Gabriel William McLeish, who was born still on Wednesday 17 June 2020. At the time Jonathan & Laura shared, “We have never known pain like it. What pain could be worse than your baby dying before they have even lived? A life unlived, memories unmade, laughter unheard... all the hopes and dreams we had for our family turned to ashes.”

The charity Directors are profoundly moved that Jonathan and Laura chose to bestow Gabriel’s name upon this new haven. It is our honour to carry Gabriel’s story forward in a space that will offer comfort, rest, and compassion to many grieving families. We look forward with full hearts to welcoming families to Gabriel’s Oasis when it opens in February 2026.

How You Can Support Gabriel’s Oasis

Although the caravan has now been secured, we still need to raise a minimum of £15,000 to cover essential ongoing costs, including:

Annual site fees
Electricity and gas
Weekly cleaning
Groceries and household essentials
Thoughtfully prepared welcome gifts for visiting families

Every donation, no matter the size, helps sustain this sanctuary for those walking the hardest of paths.

Please donate what you can, or chat with us about creating your own fundraising campaign.

Information for Families

Who Can Book a Holiday with Anam Cara Fasgadh?

Families bereaved through the death of a baby, child or young person are eligible to book a free holiday with Anam Cara Fasgadh.

Families can self-refer to book a break but must have an accompanying referral from someone who has supported them (we will uplift this information). This assures us and the families that we are supporting that those who most need our help receive it, and that families can access support prior to and after their break if they wish to.

Referrers include:

GPs
Community health teams
Health visitors
Hospital Staff
Schools
Social Work
Police
Our Charity Partners
Housing associations
MPs
MSPs
Religious Leaders

You should not be related to the person supporting your booking or have a close personal friendship.

All holidays offered by Anam Cara Fasgadh are free to bereaved families and can be for up to 7 days, booked from Friday to Friday.

You need to make your own travel arrangements.

FAQ

What are the criteria for an Anam Cara Fasgadh holiday?

Anam Cara Fasgadh supports families bereaved through the death of a baby, child or young person. Families who have experienced such bereavement are eligible for a free break or holiday with Anam Cara Fasgadh.

How do I apply for a break or holiday with Anam Cara Fasgadh?

Fill in the form above with your preferred date. You will also need a referrer and will be asked to provide contact details for them - we will send a form to your referrer.

Why do I have to have a Referrer?

To ensure families receive the support they may need we ask that all the families have a supporting reference by someone working with them in a supporting role. This ensures we offer breaks and holidays to those who most need our help and ensures families can access support if they need it prior to and after their break.

How many can stay in the Anam Cara Fasgadh caravan?

The caravan can comfortably sleep 4 people and with the double sofa bed in the lounge can sleep up to 6 people. Our caravan has has a master en-suite bedroom with a double bed, a twin-bedded room and a double sofa bed.

Can I bring guests?

If your family unit is 4 or less, you are welcome to bring guests but must not exceed the number of guests catered for in the caravan. If you have friends or family who would like to stay the same week as you please visit https://traleebaycoastalparks.co.uk for their fees for their caravans, lodges, glamping lodges and cottage.

Can I bring a pet?

Our caravan is Pet Free ~ to speak to local boarding kennels, please contact info@anamcarafasgadh.org for a list.

Do I have to live in the UK to be eligible for an Anam Cara Fasgadh holiday?

We support families across the whole of the UK and families must be residents of the UK to meet the criteria for a break or holiday.

How often can I take an Anam Cara Fasgadh holiday?

Due to demand, families who have had a break with Anam Cara Fasgadh will be required to wait 2 years before applying again. Exceptions to this will be if a family has cancelled a week at short notice and we have been unable to offer it to a new family.

Why does the Application Form ask for the ages of my children?

Our Welcome Packs are hand packed and we will source items that are age appropriate. We will also leave library books that are age appropriate.

What is in the caravan?

Fully equipped kitchen with a fridge-freezer and microwave
Two bedrooms, each sleeping two people, plus a sofa bed in the lounge
Shower room with bath and toilet
En-suite toilet in master bedroom
Lounge with seating area, TV with DVD player
Duvets, pillows and bed linen
Towels
Cot and highchair (please ensure you request this if you need it)
Fire extinguisher, fire blanket and smoke & heat alarm
Welcome Pack
Wi-Fi courtesy of Tralee Bay Holidays

What on-site facilities are there?

The caravan is situated on Tralee Bay Holidays, in the rural village of Benderloch. This is a private 5-star family owned site situated in 26 acres of woodland overlooking beautiful Ardmucknish Bay. The village is 8 miles north of Oban. On site there is a playpark with zip wire, a putting green, fly fishing pond (on a catch & release policy or £6 per fish), BBQ area, a slipway for launching boats, and an award-winning takeaway fish & chip shop.

In the village there is a local supermarket and a café and bookshop, and various honesty boxes nearby with local produce.

Is the cleaning service COVID-19 compliant?

Anam Cara Fasgadh has chosen to use Tralee Bay Holiday’s cleaning and change-over service and all units are deep cleaned and thoroughly disinfected. Their cleaners wear protective overalls and gloves and use disposable cloths to clean each unit.

What do I need to take with me?

Your packing checklist should include:

Booking confirmation
Warm clothes
Waterproofs
Midge repellent
Toiletries
Food and drinks
Swimming costumes, sun cream, sun hats

How will we get there?

You need to make your own travel arrangements. Please check the best route before your holiday. Check https://www.theaa.com/route-planner/route to plan your car journey and enter your destination as Tralee Coastal Holidays, Benderloch, Oban, UK.

If you are travelling by public transport, book as soon as you can for the cheapest fares. Please note that you can get a train to Oban or Connel then will need to get a bus or taxi to Benderloch (we will organise a taxi on your day of arrival and day of departure).

For information contact your local bus or rail stations or:

www.nationalrail.co.uk Tel: 03457 48 49 50

www.nationalexpress.com Tel: 0871 781 8181

https://www.scotrail.co.uk/

www.travelinescotland.com 0871 200 22 23

What happens if I cannot go?

Please contact us immediately by email or by phoning 01631564437 if you cannot go on your break. We will offer your dates to another family and try to source another time for you to go.