He was elected Lord Provost of Edinburgh in 1837, succeeding Sir James Spittal.
He was created a baronet in 1838 by Queen Victoria during his period as Lord Provost.
[3][5] His home in later life was 18 Manor Place[6] in Edinburgh's West End, a substantial terraced townhouse.
He died whilst on a visit to Plymouth[3] on 5 April 1860 and was returned to Edinburgh for burial in Greyfriars Kirkyard.
[2] His youngest daughter, Elizabeth Charlotte Forrest (b.1827) died in Clifton near Bristol in 1858.