As you say they've kept you on throughout so you've been a valued engineer to your old bosses
It's old cliche time and as one door closes another opens
Lot's of opportunities out there despite the doom & gloom, oil and gas/renewables definitely on growth mode at the mo
Aberdeen not so bad, good route to run along the beach promenade, and you can enjoy an ice cream on the way back
Good luck and all the best with the job hunting