The ban on students going to hospitaliry venues was not a legal restriction. Even though the government and universities rather dishonestly presented it as one.
The FM clarified it was an ask, not a ban, on the 24th. As did Universities Scotland (see screenshots). Not until after the matter had been reported as a ban, of course.
This is because a ban on students doing something perfectly legal outside of university premises is outwith the legal authority of universities. And the Scottish Government cannot ban students from attending hospitality venues while allowing everyone else to go because that is a violation of their civil rights. Hence they clarified it was a request, not a ban.
I am certainly not telling my DC to break any actual legal restrictions. On the contrary, we have asked for responsible behaviour within the rules. And we also said that as socialising with a friend who isn't a flatmate in the halls isn't allowed, a nice café or restaurant or even a pub was perfectly fine to go to for company.
Unfortunately, we found pastoral care at university to be abysmal with our eldest and our fresher felt so isolated only a home visit helped that weekend. So, if you are worried about your child's mental health deteriorating under these difficult circumstances, I would also like to point out that the new regulations for students do allow home visits for wellbeing reasons. They might not ever have to fall back on that exception to the general ban on home visits, but my DC found the knowledge that the exception exists very reassuring.
The regulations are here.