George Simpson said a “more radical approach” is required than current proposals for the historic site.

The quarry has been a battleground in recent years – with Carttera hoping to build hundreds of flats, and businessman Hugh Black wishing to construct a heritage centre honouring the granite industry on the other side.

Mr Simpson told The Press and Journal: “I applaud Hugh Black for his dogged determination to build a granite heritage visitor centre.

“However, I believe a more radical approach is needed. A heritage centre as proposed is unlikely to compete with the V&A Dundee as a major visitor destination.

“I went public last year with an idea of using a jacked-up oil rig to form the basis for a large museum, combining the history of the granite and North Sea oil industries.

“This would mean significantly raising the bar to achieve a footfall comparable to that of the V&A.

“I have been made aware that many would support such a proposal, which would be a gamechanger.

“This site, so beloved by Aberdonians and rightly so, should be used to boost our economy through tourism and we know such a project can attract considerable finance.”