Their son John Dalrymple, 2nd Earl of Stair (1679–1747), served as ambassador to the French court at Versailles from 1715 to 1720. Inspired by the formal style of the gardens of Versailles, Lord Stair set about planning a grand garden for Newliston. The architect William Adam drew up plans for a new mansion, as well as a layout for the gardens, in 1723–1725. William Adam's design for the house was never built, although the stables are probably his work. Much of the detail of the garden design, including canals, cascades and avenues, may have been the work of Lord Stair himself. Work on the gardens continued until 1744, employing up to 200 workmen. Lord Stair was an officer in the British Army, rising to the rank of Field Marshal at the Battle of Dettingen (1743) and opposing the Jacobites during the Rising of 1745. Lord Stair's loyalty has led to suggestions that the 'Union Jack' patterned layout of "Hercules Wood" within the grounds is a celebration of his part in the victory at Dettingen.