Angus Council has described a cemetery attack in Kirriemuir as a “despicable act of destruction”.
Staff were left “appalled” after finding around a dozen toppled and damaged headstones in the weekend incident.
The vandalism comes just over a year after Peter Pan author JM Barrie’s grave was desecrated at the cemetery.
Kirriemuir councillor Ronnie Proctor said: “It is absolutely despicable. Sadly, it is not the first time this has happened.
“I just don’t know what pleasure people can derive from this. Grieving relatives who have loved ones buried at the cemetery will be appalled.
“There is no place for vandalism like this in our community. Someone must know who did this and the culprits should hang their heads in shame.”
In June last year the last resting place of Angus’s most famous son was desecrated by vandals in another mindless incident.
Coping stones were pulled from the Peter Pan author’s grave and dumped on the family plot and elsewhere in the cemetery.
In 2007 there was a major vandalism spree at the cemetery that saw 34 headstones either smashed or toppled over.
Communities convener Donald Morrison said: “I completely share Councillor Proctor’s anger and disbelief at what is a cowardly act.
“These are people’s loved ones whose graves have been desecrated.
“All vandalism is bad but this is particularly terrible because it is so disrespectful.”
A spokesman for Angus Council said: “What prompts someone to act in this way is beyond our understanding. They clearly have no regard or consideration for others.
“This was a despicable act of vandalism committed with no respect whatsoever for the departed or any thought for the feelings of their descendants.
“We are sure the vast majority of people share our dismay at such actions and we hope the community can help to identify those responsible and ensure they account for their criminality. Anyone who knows who did this should contact Police Scotland on 101 and pass on what information they have.”
North East Scotland MSP Alex Johnstone said those responsible were “frankly, beneath contempt”, adding: “This must be extremely distressing for relatives, and the repairs could well prove to be expensive.
“I would urge anyone with information about this to come forward and report it to the police.
“There is simply no excuse for this and I hope those responsible face justice for their actions, and are punished appropriately.”