Adam’s extant drawings for six different schemes for alterations to The Oaks were unexecuted. According to Rowan, however, the various designs comprise an important part of Adam’s development as an architect. The use of corner towers and a large drum tower on the garden front are features which he reused at Dalquharran Castle, Culzean Castle, Findlater Castle and Castle Semple. It is worthy of note, however, that only the towers, crenellations, stepped gables and slit windows in these designs allude to a castle style, while much of the remaining elevation remains classical. Rowan has aptly described this ‘as if the house were meant to be some neo-Roman fortalice’.