Artist and teacher, born in Glasgow where he studied at the School of Art, 1969–73. He was then a teacher at Dunbartonshire schools, 1974–85, and a tutor at Glasgow School of Art, 1978–85, in the latter year becoming a full-time artist. Forrest was a prolific exhibitor in group shows, including Kelly Gallery in Glasgow, Lillie Gallery in Milngavie, Fine Art Society in Glasgow and Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, to which he was elected in 1988. He was a winner of its Torrance Award and of the Benno Schotz Sculpture Award, Scottish Amicable Painting Prize and Arthur Andersen Award. Forrest painted a lot in France and Italy, his one-man shows including a series of own-studio exhibitions and Portland Gallery, 2003. The Duchess of York, Scottish National Portrait Gallery and Glasgow Art Club hold his work.