Interiors: A quirky Highland holiday home in Newtonmore evokes the golden age of railway in its spectacular location and style

There's something magnificent about the notion of stepping on to the sleeper at Euston, leaving behind the sprawl of London, and waking up in the Highland village of Newtonmore – two worlds linked by a little shut-eye.

Guests travelling by rail to The Signal Box needn't worry about further transport, as the train deposits you yards from the front door.

In the summer of 2004 passengers on trains through Newtonmore had plenty to gossip about as a new building emerged on the platform. But this "signal box" would serve a rather different purpose to the original (which was demolished back in 1982), as one of Scotland's most unique holiday homes. However, guests here needn't fret about sharing their time off with hundreds of thundering trains; the overall number isn't anywhere near enough to impinge on the novelty of waving at passengers (who often wave back) from the comfort of the property's little deck.

Isla and John Russell were aware of the site long before they decided to build The Signal Box, given that it's a short hop from the showroom of Russwood, the specialist supplier of timber flooring, cladding and decking that they own and run. In fact, it was in large part an affinity with timber that inspired the couple to come up with the design.

"We knew a full-scale house was inappropriate for the site," says John; "It needed something more railway-orientated that would slot easily into context."

The original signal box sat on the opposite side of the line, but the couple knew that views from that platform were far inferior to those attained from this side, over open countryside to the River Spey and Glen Feshie hills.

"It made sense to change the location," says John; "Those perspectives are a great asset to a holiday home."

The intended use of the building influenced the brief sent to LDN Architects (a practice with offices in Forres as well as Edinburgh) whose work the couple had admired. "These architects are strong on environmental design, which appealed to us," says John, whose priorities for the build included sustainable design.

All the wood used in the new building has been grown within 70 miles of Newtonmore; strong Scots pine forms the integral structure, while board-on-board cladding is made from the heartwood (the densest part of the log) of a naturally durable Scottish-grown larch. And of course the cost of transporting materials would be negligible given Russwood's location just along the road.

The couple asked project architect at LDN, Denis Forrest, to come up with a sturdy one-bedroom property capable of withstanding constant use. Fortunately the local planning department were sympathetic to John and Isla's proposal to utilise the site, perceiving the design as an improvement to the area, while Network Rail expressed no concerns.

The resulting building (completed in February 2005) might look simple, yet detailed thought was invested in its design. As John explains, the architects had to strike a balance between making railway associations clear, while creating a building that was recognisably liveable. "We didn't want people knocking on the door asking about train times," John says.

Compromises had to be made; for example the architects proposed a hipped roof, which the planners altered to a gable roof in an effort to preserve the authenticity of a signal box structure.

Ornamental finials were included at the apex of the gables, and timber boards were painted pale blue, white and black, both measures specifically to complement other Highland line signal boxes. But while the vertical alignment of the exterior timber boards is traditional, they were fitted together using a modern technique that lends a contemporary finish.

The orientation of the building was carefully considered to allow generously glazed areas maximum solar gain, and insulation is particularly high spec to keep heating bills down. Electricity powers the under floor system that's installed in the shower room, while the Mrso stove (from Bonk & Co, Inverness) is in keeping with the couple's sustainable approach, fed with off-cuts from Russwood. Heat from this stove warms the upper level of the two-storey design.

The "upside-down" interior, with open-plan living accommodation (lounge, kitchen and dining area) within the roof space, above the bedroom, shower room and utility room, was planned for guests' benefit.

"Living areas, utilised most during the day, get the best views," says John, explaining the emphasis on the glazing that follows the side of the building at this level, in typical signal box style. "It also means guests are elevated from passing trains in the daytime," he says.

An internal staircase links the two levels, while external stairs, traditional to such a building, lead directly to the living accommodation via that external deck.

The couple never lost sight of the building's ultimate purpose during the design process and the utility room, as well as a storage cupboard at ground level, are perfect inclusions for those who travel here with the outdoors in mind (The Signal Box is located in the Cairngorms National Park).

As well as the luxury of underfloor heating, the shower room accommodates a sauna, built using locally sourced pine; just the ticket after a long day in the hills.

Since the eye is drawn to the outdoors, thanks to full-length glazing, Isla favoured a pared-down interior. She shopped mainly within the Cairngorms; solid oak floors are of course by Russwood, finished with their own hardwax oil, while the kitchen is from Duncans Kitchens. A sofa bed in the living area provides extra space for guests, although the romantic appeal for two, with one large double bedroom on the ground floor, is undeniable.

Recently Isla and John invited Argyll-based interior designer Jane Blanchard to add some distinctive touches. Blanchard drew on the views for inspiration, using a Vanessa Arbuthnott fabric printed with a rolling landscape to create Roman blinds for the bedroom. Hand-forged steel "Bolt" spotlights by Jim Lawrence complement the industrial, railway theme, and the whole space has been freshly painted in a light-enhancing shade.

Watching wildlife frolic in the surrounding fields, it's nigh on impossible to believe the Express to Inverness is just around the corner.

The Signal Box, www.sykescottages.co.uk/ cottages/1304.php, tel: [phone].

• This article was first published in The Scotsman on 15 May.