What is the best way to trace lineage back to a Scottish clan?

Question:

What is the best way to trace lineage back to a Scottish clan?

I have been trying to trace my ancestry to a specific Scottish clan based on my name though I haven't found a surefire way to do this. I have tried online searches, which obviously won't be very accurate, and also tracing my family back through the generations but there are gaps when I get back to those from Scottland. If anyone can help me with figuring this out it would be a great help. Thanks

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Have a look at this link below you may find it helpful, the first person who answered your question has given you some really good links these are the ones I would have pointed you to, as well as this one below.

http://www.heraldry.co.uk/scottish_clans...

If you need any other help you could always edit your question, or ask a specific question. Hope this helps. http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/...
This web page gives you access to the Official Records from
Scotland, however, it's rather expesive. They charge you to look at everything. Leave it to the Scots to make money that way. Also, you may find some records on http://www.ancestry.co.uk but that costs as well and they don't have all the records.
There are also web pages that will tell you what clan certain last names are associated with. http://www.scotclans.com/
is one that has some good information. My history is Scots Irish. It is very difficult to gain access to these records. They are a cagey bunch. I see you indicated you've tried online searches. I presume you looked for ARCHIVAL searches and histories as well.
I do know there were a good number of fires which destroyed many records and unfortunately that may have included yours or some of yours. That happened in my family as well. But we do have a book with all the connected families and some of their histories from the 40's back. If you know of the counties and such, you can call or write them and perhaps you can go through their online searches if they permit. We have a historical library here in our county and I actually found many facts of our family history dating back to the 1700's and the Revolutionary War and actual King George land grants. Hope that suggestion helps. good luck. most clans have a clan society that has a genealogist, some run newsletters where u can place a query, you might want to try that Tell us your surname & any info you've got, then somebody here might be able to give you a bit more specific help.