Argyll and Bute came close to a three-way tie, with Independent, Conservative and SNP councillors sharing a similar number of seats.
Talks will take place over the weekend about possible coalitions which could be made in order to form a ruling administration.
The SNP, now the largest group in the council after increasing its seats from eight to 11, is hopeful about snatching power from the previous alliance of independent, Conservative and LibDem councillors.
The Conservatives had a successful day, jumping from four councillors to nine.
A total of 10 independent councillors were elected and six LibDems, with no successes for Labour.
SNP MSP Mike Russell attended the count and said he was delighted that the group now has a councillor in every ward, “ensuring good, balanced representation across the area”.
Group leader for the SNP, Sandy Taylor said: “I’m extremely heartened by this great result for the SNP in Argyll and Bute.
“We have already engaged in early conversations with non-party aligned successful candidates and will be looking to develop those relations in order to pull together a new, progressive coalition group on the council.
Gary Mulvaney, leader of the Conservative group, said voters had put their trust in Conservative candidates. He said they would “reflect” over the weekend about the possibility of forming an administration, adding: “The last thing we will do is rush into some arranged marriage which falls apart quickly afterwards.”
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Taking a seat for the Conservatives in the Oban South and the Isles ward is former MSP Jamie McGrigor, who said he was “thrilled” with his new job.
Mr McGrigor said: “It is very exciting for me because having been an MSP for the huge region of the Highlands for 17 years, I am now part of something much more concentrated. I am looking forward to concentrating my efforts.”
