CHAPTER 02Our Journey
In 2021, Mayter and Winston Scott traded city noise for the quiet hum of the hills, settling onto a patch of land tucked at the meeting point of Putnam, Jackson, and Smith Counties in Buffalo Valley, Tennessee. What began as a search for space—room to breathe, create, and dream—has grown into a living, working homestead where old traditions meet modern craftsmanship.
Winston, a woodworker with a reverence for heritage techniques, shapes every board, beam, and handcrafted utensil with the patience of someone who knows good things can’t be rushed. Mayter, owner of a creative digital agency in Nashville, brings the storytelling heart—infusing the farm with purpose, vision, and a desire to help people reconnect with the beauty of simple, intentional living.
Together, they envisioned a place where creativity could roam free. A place where the past isn’t just remembered but revived. Today, their farm is a gathering point for makers and craftspeople—blacksmiths, leatherworkers, chefs, growers, and anyone who believes in turning raw materials into something meaningful. Here, vintage cookware finds new life, time-softened cookbooks inspire a fresh generation, and small-batch woodworking carries the warmth of hands that shaped it.
The Shack & The Skillet is more than a farm. It’s a return to the roots—of craft, of community, of the land itself. A place where stories are carved, forged, stitched, cooked, and shared. And everyone is welcome at the table.
36.225° N
This land holds the stories of those who’ve walked it.
85.915° W
Merle
Merle was part of this land long before it became what it is today. A steady presence, a loyal shadow, and a companion through the early days of building a life here. He’s now buried beneath this soil, woven into the ground we walk and work every day—a reminder that this place has always been shaped by love, loyalty, and the lives lived upon it.
Join the Table
The Membership is designed for those who want to go a step further. Here, our recipes, stories, and events live together in one place—offering a deeper look into our process and a more personal way to connect. For $5–10 a month, members are invited into a space that holds our ongoing work: from how-to’s and updates to hands-on experiences like classes and dinners. It’s our way of creating room for community, learning, and shared moments beyond the online shop.
